TRANSPORT

A50: Noise

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of when the concrete surface of the A50 Doveridge bypass will  (a) reach end-of-life and  (b) be resurfaced; and what the cost of resurfacing will be.

Stephen Ladyman: Roads with concrete surfaces such as the A50 at Doveridge are surveyed at regular intervals and any deterioration that is identified is used to prepare and prioritise appropriate maintenance works. The present condition of the surface of the A50 Doveridge bypass does not suggest a need for resurfacing for the foreseeable future, so no scheme is currently, programmed. Estimates of cost of any such scheme would only be made once work is programmed.

A50: Road Traffic

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimated traffic volumes were used in the planning stage of the A50 Doveridge bypass; what the volume is for the A50 Doveridge bypass; and whether there are any other concrete stretches of the national trunk road network subject to similar traffic volumes.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the estimated traffic volumes used at the planning stage of the A50 Doveridge bypass is archived and can only be retrieved at a disproportionate cost. The annual average daily traffic flow figure for the Doveridge bypass, taken from 2005, the latest year for which figures are available, is 42,051 vehicles.
	Other concrete lengths of carriageway on the trunk road network with traffic volumes within 10 per cent. of those at the A50 Doveridge bypass are listed below:
	A11 Barton Mills bypass (38,100)
	A14 Haughley New Street bypass (40,200)
	A19 Billingham bypass (37,400)

Departments: Renewable Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what strategy he has put in place for  (a) the use of renewable energy and  (b) meeting energy targets in his Department's buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: On 12 June 2006 my right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced new sustainable operations targets for the Government Estate. The new targets include a specific commitment on energy:
	Departments to increase their energy efficiency per m(2) by 15 per cent. by 2010, relative to 1999-2000 levels.
	Departments to increase their energy efficiency per m(2) by 30 per cent. by 2020, relative to 1999-2000 levels.
	Government Departments are mandated within the new targets to source at least 10 per cent. of electricity from renewables (such as wind, wave, tidal, solar, thermal and photovoltaics (PV's)) by March 2008* and at least 15 per cent. of electricity from Combined Heat and Power (2010). These targets are a continuation of an existing operations targets, originally set in 2003.
	In 2005-06 (the latest data available) the Department sourced 66.47 per cent. of its electricity from renewable sources. 10 per cent. of our electricity was sourced from Good Quality Heat and Power during the same period.
	In order to improve further, the Department has commissioned a report to evaluate its plans for meeting this target across the estate and gain an estimate of their impact in terms of CO(2) reductions. We are also seeking specialist advice on additional common and site-specific measures which could be rolled out in order to further improve CO(2) reductions, for example setting up Energy Conservation Programmes.

Driving Instruction

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the  (a) merits and  (b) potential effect on the incidence of road (i) injuries and (ii) deaths of introducing a minimum driver learning period of 12 months.

Stephen Ladyman: The report on the second review of the Government's Road Safety Strategy was published on 26 February. That includes proposals for a fundamental review of the way the training of new drivers is approached so that it is more relevant to today's conditions and roads. The aim is to produce drivers who can drive safely in the broadest sense, not just know how to control a car, and how that can provide the basis for lifelong learning. There will be a consultation in due course. The review is available on-line at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategytargetsperformance/2ndreview/
	The last time the issue of a minimum learning period was considered was in the Department's consultation "Introducing a structured approach to learning to drive" of March 2002—available at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2002/intsal/?version=1 .
	The decision in 2004 following that consultation was not to require a minimum learning period. Requiring such a period is no guarantee that it would be used as intended. In addition there was evidence that it was taking longer to learn to drive anyway following the strengthening of the driving test. Research has found that learners take on average 11 months of learning before passing the test.

Driving: Licensing

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of new arrivals to the UK applied for a British driving licence in the required time period in each of the last 10 years; and how his Department identifies  (a) individuals who are required to apply for such a licence and  (b) whether they have done so.

Stephen Ladyman: The percentage of new arrivals to the UK who subsequently apply for a full or provisional GB licence at the appropriate time is not known.
	The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is unable to identify these drivers individually. Information about the cessation of the right to drive after 12 months unless a GB licence is granted is available on the DVLA website (www.dvla.gov.uk) in print form from DVLA or post offices (leaflet D100) or via DVLA's inquiry centre—number 0870 024 0009.

Heathrow Airport: Noise

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 27 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 1245-46W, on Heathrow Airport: noise, if he will break down the figures for the last five years by aircraft operator.

Gillian Merron: The Department does not hold information at this level of detail although it is collected by BAA Heathrow when monitoring compliance with departure noise limits. I have asked BAA Heathrow to write to the hon. Member.

Highways Agency: Vehicles

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost of a Highways Agency traffic officer patrol car was in the last 12 months.

Stephen Ladyman: The average cost of a Traffic Officer patrol car in the last 12 months was £13,736.40. This includes the lease hire cost of the vehicle and the maintenance costs. Maintenance costs include servicing, out of warranty repairs and replacement tyres.

M6: Repairs and Maintenance

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the internal review document of safety options for the maintenance work which is being carried out at junction 9 of the M6 motorway.

Stephen Ladyman: The closure of the southbound entry slip road at junction 9 of the M6 is associated with maintenance work being carried out at junction 8, the Ray Hall Interchange. It is designed as a safety measure to reduce lane change manoeuvres on the approach to the roadworks. The closure was recommended in internal working documents on traffic management options prepared on behalf of the Highways Agency by its agents, AmeyMouchel. The documents are available from the Highways Agency at No. 5, Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL.

Motor Vehicles: Petrol Alternatives

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he makes available to businesses wishing to switch their vehicle fleet to a more environmentally-friendly fuel source.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport provides a grant for the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to run a Fleet Advice Programme. This programme provides a free Green Fleet Review consultancy for any business in England with a fleet of over fifty vehicles. This advice would include consideration of more environmentally-friendly fuel sources. EST also provides advice to all businesses on how to have a more environmentally friendly fleet through a telephone advice line and through the EST website.

Railways: Franchises

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of the staging of the 2012 Olympics for decisions on the extension of c2c's franchise beyond 2011.

Tom Harris: holding answer 6 March 2007
	No assessment or decision has yet been made on this issue. The Department is mindful of the current end date of the franchise and its relationship to 2012 Olympic Games.

Road Traffic

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the traffic volume is for each concrete stretch of the national trunk road network.

Stephen Ladyman: The following table gives the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) data for each concrete surfaced section of the all purpose national trunk road network for 2005.
	
		
			  Route  Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)  Percentage HGV 
			 A5 Knowl Hill, Milton Keynes 35,699 — 
			 A11 Barton Mills Bypass, Suffolk 38,100 — 
			 A11 Wymondham Bypass, Norfolk 35,400 — 
			 A11 Wymondham to A47 Thickthorn, Norfolk 35,400 — 
			 A12 Chelmsford Bypass, Essex 62,000 — 
			 A12 Hatfield Peverel and Witham (South), Essex 78,700 — 
			 A12 Margaretting Bypass, Essex 73,100 — 
			 A12 Rivenhall End and Kelvedon Bypass, Essex 78,700 — 
			 A12 Stanway Bypass, Essex 87,800 — 
			 A13 (1)82,000 — 
			 A14 Haughley New Street Bypass, Suffolk 40,200 — 
			 A14 Ipswich South-Eastern Bypass (Orwell Bridge to Levington), Suffolk 53,400 — 
			 A14 Ipswich South-Western Bypass (Copdock to Orwell Bridge), Suffolk 53,400 — 
			 A14 Ipswich Western Bypass (Claydon to Copdock), Suffolk 47,000 — 
			 A19 Billingham Bypass 37,400 17 
			 A30 Honiton to Exeter 28,500 — 
			 A30 Longrock 23,500 — 
			 A30 Whiddon Down 22,700 — 
			 A35 Tolpuddle/Puddletown 25,000 — 
			 A46 Willoughby-on-the-Wolds to Six Hills—dual carriageway Nearest town—Between Bingham and Leicester County—Leicestershire 24,000 — 
			 A47 Dereham Bypass 22,000 — 
			 A52 Bottesford Bypass—single carriageway Nearest town—Between Radcliffe-on-Trent and Grantham County—Leicestershire 16,500 — 
			 A63—A63 between A1034 and A15 36,100 18 
			 A63—A63 between A1079 and A1165 No AADT Data — 
			 A63—A63 between A1079 and A1166 52,900 15 
			 A120 Colchester Eastern Bypass 13,200 — 
			 A120 Wix Bypass 13,200 — 
			 A160—A160 between A1077 and A180 12,000 44 
			 A180—A180 between A1136 and A1173 30,300 16 
			 A180—A1 80 between A1136 and A180 30,800 15 
			 A180—A180 between A1173 and A160 22,100 19 
			 A180—A180 between A160 and M180 J5 No AADT Data — 
			 A303 between A356 and A358 (WB) 12,595 — 
			 A303 between A358 and A356 (E/B) 12,996 — 
			 A419/A417 DBFO concrete carriageway 29,894 — 
			 A483 Pulford Island to Welsh Border No Count information for 2005, AADT 2004 was 48,700 — 
			 (1) No AADT available. Figure provided is an actual traffic flow for October 2005. 
		
	
	The following table gives the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) data for each concrete surfaced section of the motorway network for 2005.
	
		
			  Route  Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)  Percentage HGV 
			 M1-A1 link J47-48N,A1M J44 65,800 17 
			 M1 A1 link J46-47 67,300 17 
			 M1 A1 link J44-45 80,900 17 
			 M1 A1 link J43-44 67,500 18 
			 M1 A1 link J42-43 132,600 15 
			 M1 A1 link J45-46 79,900 17 
			 M1 J7-5 105,000 — 
			 M3 J8 north of J9 57,000 — 
			 M4 J10 No AADT data available — 
			 M6 J12-13 117,849 — 
			 M11 J6-5 71,000 — 
			 M11 J7-8 93,333 — 
			 M18 J4-5 48,900 22 
			 M18 J5-6 47,600 26 
			 M18 J6-7 44,100 24 
			 M20 J8-9 56,000 — 
			 M25 J8-9 152,000 — 
			 M25 J9-10 153,000 — 
			 M25 J10-11 164,000 — 
			 M25 J24-25 127,000 — 
			 M25 J27-28 129,000 — 
			 M26 J2a-3 48,000 — 
			 M27 J5-7 122,000 — 
			 M42 J3a-4 126,800 — 
			 M42 J9-10 35,253 — 
			 M53 J11-12 No data for J11-12 so J10-11 used 62,300 — 
			 M54 J2-3 50,300 — 
			 M54 J3-4 50,100 — 
			 M54 J4-5 41,800 — 
			 M56 J15-16 No data for J15-16 so J14-15 used 96,700 — 
			 M60 J1-2 125,600 — 
			 M62 J34-35 43,800 23 
			 M62 J37-38 33,600 18 
			 M271 (North of M27 J3) 122,000 — 
			 M271 (South of M27 J3) 14,000 —

Road Traffic: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of car journeys  (a) made in each of the last five years and  (b) which he expects to be made in each of the next five years in Lancashire.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department does not produce total car journeys at this level of detail. The Department's national trip end model (NTEM) does give forecasts on a year by year basis for the number of trips by all modes that originate and terminate in any given area in the average day. This may proxy for growth in journeys made. The trip end data form the basis for more detailed transport modelling that could provide forecasts in car traffic flows for a particular study area. The data set is in the public domain and freely available from:
	http://www.tempro.org.uk.

TREASURY

Child Trust Fund

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the Child Trust Fund accounts administered by HM Revenue and Customs have received additional payments of £250.

Edward Balls: While HM Revenue and Customs administer the Child Trust Fund scheme and allocate accounts when a voucher has not been used by a parent before its expiry date they do not administer accounts.
	The Child Trust Fund statistical report, published in September 2006 and available on the HM Revenue and Customs website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctf/stats.htm
	showed that 35 per cent. of children eligible for the Child Trust Fund are entitled to an additional Government payment as they are from a family receiving full child tax credit and with a household income of not more than the child tax credit threshold (£14,155 in 2006-07).
	HM Revenue and Customs do not currently hold the figure for the number of accounts they have allocated that have received additional Government payments. This information will be available later this year.

Child Trust Fund

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of parents have made additional payments to their Child Trust Fund accounts.

Edward Balls: I refer the hon. Member to the answer on 27 February 2007 to my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins),  Official Report, column 1306W.

Childbirth: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many births there were in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 March 2007:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many births there were in Lancashire in each of the last five years. (126219)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2005. The table below shows the number of live births in the current county of Lancashire each year between 2001 and 2005.
	
		
			  Live births in Lancashire county( 1, 2 ) 2001-05 
			   Number of live births 
			 2001 12,164 
			 2002 11,716 
			 2003 12,463 
			 2004 13,082 
			 2005 13,084 
			 (1) Figures refer to live births to mothers usually resident in Lancashire. (2) Fibres do not include births to mothers usually resident b Blackpool UA or Blackburn with Darwen UA that were part of the former county of Lancashire.  Source:  ONS Key Population and Vital Statistics, Local and Health Authority Areas, Series VS nos. 28-31 and Birth Statistics, Series FM1 no.34

Common Agricultural Policy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on that Department's contingent liabilities for provisions for disallowance arising from common agricultural policy schemes, notably the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Treasury Ministers and officials discuss a wide range of issues with their colleagues in other departments as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many value for money exercises on the use of  (a) management consultants and  (b) professional advisers were conducted by his Department in each of the last five years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Treasury Group's plans for achieving the efficiency target set in Spending Review 2004 are set out in its Efficiency Technical Note, and progress against those plans is reported in the Departmental Report and the Autumn Performance Report. The latest Efficiency Technical Note and the 2006 Departmental Report are available from:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/departmental_reports/deptreport_index.cfm.
	The next report on progress on efficiency will be in the 2006 Autumn Performance Report due to be published in December. Value for money exercises are co-ordinated as part of our efficiency planning, and have included the use of management consultants and professional advisers.

Departments: Aviation

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 475W, what the cost was of each helicopter flight he took within the UK on official business in the last month.

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 475W, on Departments: Aviation, on how many occasions he used a non-scheduled flight within the UK on official business in the last month; and what the  (a) purpose and  (b) cost was of each such flight.

John Healey: I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Gentlemen on 19 February.

Departments: Publications

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2007,  Official Report, column 837W, on the staff handbook, if he will place a CD-Rom of the current version of the handbook in the Library.

John Healey: I refer to the answer given on 22 February 2007,  Official Report, column 837W. The staff handbook is an internal management tool that is regularly updated, therefore it is not suitable for release.

Departments: Visits Abroad

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what foreign visits he has planned;
	(2)  if he will list the foreign visits he has made on official business in each year since 1997.

John Healey: All ministerial visits are conducted in accordance with the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers". Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis, a list of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 and the total cost of all ministerial travel. Information for 2006-07 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.

Excise Duties: Biofuels

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of increasing the discount on excise duty on biodiesel to  (a) 25 pence and  (b) 30 pence during the financial year 2007-08.

John Healey: holding answer 5 March 2007
	It is estimated that biofuels constitute 1 per cent. of the main road fuel market in 2007-08. The duty rate on biofuels is guaranteed to be 20ppl below the main road fuel rate until at least 2008-09. The total cost of the duty discount is projected to be £100 million in 2007-08 and £260 million in 2008-09, when biofuels will constitute 2.5 per cent. of the main road fuel market.
	 (a) If the duty differential were raised to 25ppl, this would have an additional cost of £25 million in 2007-08 and £65 million in 2008-09.
	 (b) If the duty differential were raised to 30ppl, this would have an additional cost of £50 million in 2007-08 and £125 million in 2008-09.

Life Expectancy: Cambridgeshire

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what life expectancy for  (a) males and  (b) females was in each parliamentary constituency in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 March 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what life expectancy for  (a) males and  (b) females was in each parliamentary constituency in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1997. (126227)
	Life expectancy figures are published for local authorities rather than parliamentary constituencies, and are calculated as three year rolling averages. The table below provides the period life expectancy at birth for  (a) males and  (b) females in each local authority district in Cambridgeshire, from 1996-98 to 2003-05 (the latest period available).
	
		
			  Table 1: Period life expectancy at birth( 1) , local authority districts in Cambridgeshire( 2) , 1996-98 to 2003-05( 3) 
			  Years of life 
			  Year/local authority  Male life expectancy  Female life expectancy 
			  Cambridge   
			 1996-98 76 82 
			 1997-99 76 82 
			 1998-2000 76 82 
			 1999-01 77 82 
			 2000-02 77 82 
			 2001-03 77 82 
			 2002-04 78 82 
			 2003-05 78 82 
			
			  East Cambridgeshire   
			 1996-98 77 80 
			 1997-99 77 81 
			 1998-2000 77 81 
			 1999-01 77 82 
			 2000-02 77 83 
			 2001-03 77 83 
			 2002-04 78 82 
			 2003-05 78 83 
			
			  Fenland   
			 1996-98 75 79 
			 1997-99 76 79 
			 1998-2000 75 80 
			 1999-01 75 80 
			 2000-02 75 80 
			 2001-03 75 80 
			 2002-04 76 81 
			 2003-05 76 81 
			
			  Huntingdonshire   
			 1996-98 76 81 
			 1997-99 77 81 
			 1998-2000 77 81 
			 1999-01 77 81 
			 2000-02 77 82 
			 2001-03 78 82 
			 2002-04 78 82 
			 2003-05 78 82 
			
			  South Cambridgeshire   
			 1996-98 77 82 
			 1997-99 78 82 
			 1998-2000 78 82 
			 1999-01 79 83 
			 2000-02 79 83 
			 2001-03 79 83 
			 2002-04 79 83 
			 2003-05 79 84 
			 (1 )Period life expectancy at birth is an estimate of the average number of years a newborn baby would survive if he or she experienced the area's age-specific mortality rates for that time period throughout his or her life. The figure reflects mortality among those living in the area in each time period, rather than mortality among those born in each area. It is not therefore the number of years a baby born in the area in each time period could actually expect to live, both because the death rates of the area are likely to change in the future and because many of those born in the area will live elsewhere for at least some part of their lives. (2) Using local authority boundaries as of 2006 for all the years shown. (3) Three year rolling averages, based on deaths registered in each year and mid-year population estimates. Figures are rounded to whole years.

Members: Correspondence

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire's letters of 30 October 2006 and 18 December 2006 on biofuels.

John Healey: I have done so.

National Insurance Contributions

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have paid voluntary national insurance contributions for the 2004-05 tax year.

Dawn Primarolo: The national insurance contributions and Qualifying Years Tabulation Tool was released in the public domain on the Department for Work and Pensions website at 9.30 on the 28 February 2007.
	250 thousand people paid voluntary contributions for the 2003-04 tax year. The numbers paying voluntary contributions for the 2004-05 tax year are still provisional.

Official Visits: USA

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer where he stayed overnight on his official visit to Washington in April 2006.

John Healey: The IMF pay for travel and accommodation costs associated with the chairman of the IMFC.

Suicide: Children

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides there were among  (a) children and  (b) children under the age of 13 in each of the last 10 years in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Lancashire.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 March 2007:
	As National Statistician. I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many suicides there were among (a) children and (b) children under the age of 13 in each of the last 10 years in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Lancashire. (125730)
	The table below provides the number of deaths where suicide was the underlying cause of death, for children under the age of (a) 16 and (b) 13 years, from 1996 to 2005 (the latest year available), for (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Lancashire county.
	So that comparison over time is for a consistent area, deaths in the current Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen unitary authorities, which were part of the former County of Lancashire, have not been included for any year.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths where suicide was the underlying cause of death( 1) , children under the age of (a) 16( 2)  and (b) 13 years, UK and Lancashire county( 3) ,1996-2005( 4) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			   United Kingdom  Lancashire 
			   Under 16 years  Under 13 years  Under 16 years  Under 13 years 
			 1996 31 1 0 0 
			 1997 22 0 0 0 
			 1998 23 1 0 0 
			 1999 20 2 2 0 
			 2000 39 1 1 0 
			 2001 18 1 0 0 
			 2002 24 1 0 0 
			 2003 16 2 0 0 
			 2004 16 1 1 0 
			 2005 20 3 0 0 
			 (1) For children aged 10 to 14 years, the cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959 for the years 1996 to 2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 for the years 2001 to 2005. For children aged 15 years, the definition of suicide also includes deaths caused through undetermined intent, defined using the ICD-9 codes E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1996 to 2000, and the ICD-10 codes Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 (where the Coroner's verdict was pending) for the years 2001 to 2005. Verdicts of suicide are not returned for children under the age of 10 years. (2) For the purposes of mortality statistics, children are defined as persons under the age of 16. (3) Based on the boundaries of Lancashire county as of 2007. Deaths in Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen unitary authorities are not included for any year. (4) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Teenage Pregnancy: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of teenage pregnancy in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex was in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 March 2007:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the rate of teenage pregnancy in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex was in each year since 1997. (125489)
	Available figures are estimates of the number of pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, stillbirth or termination. The government definition of teenagers in relation to pregnancy refers to girls aged under 18.
	Teenage conception numbers and rates for Eastbourne County District (CD) and East Sussex County for the years 1997-2005 (the most recent year for which figures are available), are shown in the table below. Figures for 2005 are provisional.
	
		
			  Teenage conceptions: numbers( 1)  and rates( 2)  for Eastbourne CD and East Sussex County, 1997-2005 
			   East Sussex county  Eastbourne CD 
			   Number  Rate  Number  Rate 
			 1997 316 37 63 49 
			 1998 336 40 56 44 
			 1999 323 39 68 53 
			 2000 324 39 75 54 
			 2001 262 31 51 35 
			 2002 315 36 77 47 
			 2003 323 36 78 46 
			 2004 347 38 80 48 
			 2005(3) 358 38 68 41 
			 (1) Figures for 2005 are provisional (2) Rate per 1,000 women aged 15-17 (3) Provisional

Terrorism: Finance

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to the public purse was of producing the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance strategy announced on 28 February.

Edward Balls: 569 copies of the Government's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing strategy were printed, including copies for both Houses of Parliament. The cost of printing was £1,563.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated administrative yearly cost to the Valuation Office Agency is of introducing and administering Planning Gain Supplement.

John Healey: The Government will incur costs in providing the systems and resource for HMRC and the VOA to administer a Planning-gain Supplement (PGS). PGS is being designed to be simple and cost effective to administer and the cost estimates will be developed as the details of PGS are refined.
	Further details can be found in the Explanatory Notes to the Planning-gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill, which was introduced in the House on 12 December 2006.

Venture Capital

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals for a regulatory code governing the activities of private equity companies.

Edward Balls: Private equity companies in the UK are subject to regulation by the Financial Services Authority. This includes a close and continuous supervisory relationship with 14 of the biggest private equity and venture capital managers; risk mitigation programmes; frequent dialogue with market participants on private equity sector issues; and including private equity firms in thematic reviews on market issues.
	In addition the Government welcome the announcement last week that Sir David Walker will chair an independent working party to develop a voluntary comply-or-explain code to improve the private equity industry's transparency and level of disclosures for large companies in these areas. This initiative has received wide support across the industry, demonstrating a commitment to make this happen, and also a desire to meet the legitimate concerns of interested parties.
	By increasing the quality and timeliness of disclosures, the code has the potential both to improve the engagement of the private equity industry with stakeholders, and improve its performance. The Government will watch developments very closely.

Venture Capital

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the transparency of the financial reporting procedures of private equity groups.

Edward Balls: To the extent that private equity groups are UK companies, they must meet the financial reporting obligations required under EU and UK company law. Financial reporting requirements were consulted on extensively in the formulation of the provisions in the Companies Act 2006. Listed groups, and those companies that opt to do so, must report using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), while all other companies utilise UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
	All companies incorporated in the UK, other than small companies, are required by the Companies Act to produce a business review (as required by the EU Accounts Modernisation Directive). The Companies Act 2006 will introduce an expanded business review and require quoted companies, to the extent necessary for an understanding of the business, to report on environmental matters, the company's employees, and social and community issues.
	In addition the Government welcome the announcement last week that Sir David Walker will chair an independent working party to develop a voluntary comply-or-explain code to improve the private equity industry's transparency and level of disclosures for large companies in these areas. This initiative has received wide support across the industry, demonstrating a commitment to make this happen, and also a desire to meet the legitimate concerns of interested parties.
	By increasing the quality and timeliness of disclosures, the code has the potential both to improve the engagement of the private equity industry with stakeholders, and improve its performance. The Government will watch developments very closely.

Youth Volunteering

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he attended in an official capacity the launch party for the charity on youth volunteering 'v' on 8 May.

John Healey: The Chancellor spoke at a meeting in support of 'v' on 8 May. He did not attend a party.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

English Language: Adult Education

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of expenditure on further education, adult learning and skills and lifelong learning was spent on English for speakers of other languages in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 March 2007
	Since 2001, the funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) has been provided through the Skills for Life strategy in response to regional and local demand. The proportion of expenditure(1) on further education, adult learning and skills and lifelong learning spent on ESOL is as follows (note: the figures for the financial year 2005-06 are not yet available):
	
		
			   ESOL  Total age 19+ participation  ESOL (percentage) 
			 2001-02 130 2,096 6.2 
			 2002-03 202 2,242 9.0 
			 2003-04 246 2,423 10.2 
			 2004-05 271 2,504 10.8 
			 Totals 849 9,265 9.2 
			 (1) To nearest £ million

English Language: Immigrants

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on English for Speakers of Other Languages lessons for  (a) immigrants and  (b) asylum seekers in each year between 1997 and 2006.

Bill Rammell: Since 2001, the funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) has been provided through the Skills for Life strategy in response to regional and local demand has almost tripled.
	The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) calculates the total amounts spent on ESOL as £103 million in 2000/01, £185 million in 2001/02, £235 million in 2002/03, £267 million in 2003/04 and £279 million in 2004/05. The 2005/06 final spend has yet to be confirmed by the LSC; figures prior to 2000/01 are not available as ESOL only became part of the Skills for Life strategy in 2001.
	The LSC has not routinely reported spend for asylum seekers. The Department for Education and Skills did a separate analysis of the LSC's data for 2004/05 and this shows that the total funding for asylum seekers was £23.5 million of which £3.3 million was for those aged 16-18 and £20.2 million was for those aged 19 and over.
	The information on immigrants is not collected by the LSC as they form too broad a category.

Gershon Review

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent by his Department and its associated public bodies on achieving Gershon efficiency savings; whether these costs are accounted for in the reports of headline efficiency savings; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not hold information centrally on the total cost of achieving their Gershon efficiency gains going back to the start of the programme and cannot obtain this information without incurring disproportionate cost (£700).
	Sir Peter Gershon's independent report into public sector efficiency did not require that efficiencies be recorded net of upfront investment costs. My Department has followed this advice.

Graduates: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of university graduates from Lancashire were employed full-time within two years of leaving university in the last year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The available information is taken from the destination of leavers from higher education (DLHE) survey collected annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The DLHE survey collects information on the first destination, six months after qualifying, which enables a breakdown by local authority level. The latest figures for Lancashire local authority, and comparable figures for the UK, are shown in the table. Figures for 2005/06 academic year will be available in summer 2007.
	
		
			  Destination of first degree graduates from the UK( 1)  and Lancashire local Authority( 1)  six months after graduation—UK higher education institutions academic year 2004/05 
			   UK  Lancashire local authority 
			  Destination  Numbers  Percentage  Numbers  Percentage 
			 Full-time paid work only (including self-employed) 111,830 55.2 2,205 56.8 
			 Part-time paid work only 16,510 8.1 340 8.8 
			 Voluntary/unpaid work only 1,790 0.9 25 0.6 
			 Work and further study 18,250 9.0 345 8.9 
			 Further study only 28,855 14.2 520 13.4 
			 Assumed to be unemployed 12,795 6.3 220 5.7 
			 Not available for employment 10,225 5.0 180 4.6 
			 Other 2,400 1.2 45 1.2 
			 Total known(2) 202,655 100.0 3,880 100.0 
			 (1 )Students have been identified by reference to their home postcode, postcode data is missing for a very small number of students from the UK (approximately less than 1 per cent.) (2) Based upon students of known destination six months after graduating does not include non-respondents or explicit refusals. The response rate was 81 per cent.  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 
		
	
	This data is not routinely gathered for longer time periods after leaving. Occasionally such information is gathered from sample surveys that follow up graduates a few years after they have left university, but this is only available at national level. For example, the "Class of 99 Study" (published in 2005) obtained information on the destinations of a sample of 1999 UK graduates around four years after graduation. This showed that the majority were in full-time employment as follows:
	
		
			  Current situation, by gender 
			  Situation  Male  Female 
			 Full-time related to long-term career plans 69.5 65.7 
			 Part-time related to long-term career plans 1.5 4.7 
			 In full-time employment (other) 16.6 17.6 
			 In part-time employment (other) 1.7 3.1 
			 Self-employed 4.2 3 
			 Postgraduate study 6.5 8.3 
			 Unemployed and seeking work 3.2 1.9 
			 Out of the labour force/not seeking work 0.8 1.7 
			 Other 2.2 3.2 
			  Source: The Class of 99: Early Career Paths of 1999 Graduates

Learning Disability: Per Capita Costs

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what amount was spent per capita on students with learning difficulties in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The following tables set out the amounts which have been allocated in respect of disabled students over the past five years. This includes:
	funding from the mainstream disability allocation, which is the main funding delivered by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) to higher education institutions (HEIs) to support disabled students;
	HEFCE's capital funding which has been provided to HEIs to improve provision for students with special needs, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and its extension in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001;
	HEFCE's special initiative funding provided to HEIs and further education colleges which has funded 54 projects in two strands, to support small and/or specialist institutions with little provision for, or experience in supporting, students with disabilities and to develop and disseminate resources relating to the learning and teaching of disabled students; and
	The disabled students' allowance which can help pay the extra costs a disabled student may incur to attend a course of higher education, as a direct result of their disability or specific learning difficulty.
	We do not disaggregate these funds in respect of a student's type of disability. Nor are we able to provide details of amounts spent by institutions on individual disabled students through the HEFCE funding. The mainstream disability allocation is delivered as part of the block grant to HEIs and as such is available for the HEIs to use in the way best suited to meet the needs of their students. In addition, although the allocation is calculated using the numbers of students recorded on the Higher Education Statistics Agency record as being in receipt of the disabled students' allowance, the funding does not follow individual students. We do not hold information centrally about spend per student in terms of the capital and special initiative funding.
	
		
			   £ million 
			  Mainstream disability funding  
			 2002-03 9.8 
			 2003-04 10.3 
			 2004-05 10.4 
			 2005-06 12.3 
			 2006-07 12.9 
			   
			  Capital funds (provided over a two-year period)  
			 2002-04 56 
			   
			  Special initiative funding (projects) (provided over a two-year period)  
			 2003-05 5.5 
		
	
	In addition to the above HEFCE has provided approximately £1.2 million per year to a co-ordination team to provide support to the sector in the form of resources, advice and guidance. From 2002-05 this support was provided by the National Disability Team. Since January 2006, the Disability Equality Partnership has taken on this role.
	We do not break down awards of DSA by type of disability. Available data on English higher education students in receipt of DSA(1) are given in the table.
	(1) Data includes full-time, part-time, and postgraduate DSA allowances.
	
		
			  Disabled students' allowance (DSA) 
			  Academic year  Number of HE students in receipt of DSAs( 1)  Expenditure on DSAs  (£ million)( 2)  Average DSA expenditure per student (£)( 3) 
			 2001/02 18,600 39.2 2,110 
			 2002/03 24,600 50.4 2,050 
			 2003/04(4) n/a n/a n/a 
			 2004/05 32,400 70.7 2,180 
			 2005/06 35,400 78.0 2,200 
			 (1) Numbers rounded to the nearest 10 students. (2) Numbers in millions. (3) Rounded to the nearest 10. (4) Due to a change in reporting arrangements, data are not centrally available for 2003/04.  Source: Student Loans Company (SLC)

Nurseries

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the occupancy rates for places in day nurseries were in each year since 2001, broken down by  (a) private, voluntary and independent and  (b) maintained nurseries.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 6 March 2007
	The number of children per registered full day care setting place was 1.6 in 2001, 1.5 in 2003 and 1.4 in 2005 for both  (a) private, voluntary and independent and  (b) maintained nurseries. 2005 is the latest date for which figures are available. The number of children enrolled is greater than the number of places, as part-time children can share a full time place.
	These figures are based on findings from nationally representative surveys of registered child care and early years providers, which are commissioned by the Department. The survey began in 1998 and was repeated in 2001, 2002-03 and 2005. Therefore while it is possible to provide occupancy rates for places in full day care settings for 2001, 2002-03 and 2005 it is not possible to provide the relevant data for 2002 and 2003 separately or for 2004.

Nurseries

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many day nurseries have  (a) closed and  (b) opened since 2003, broken down by (i) private, voluntary and independent and (ii) maintained nurseries.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 6 March 2007
	The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Table 1: Full day care providers( 1) 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  March to December 2006 
			 Opened 2,500 2,800 2,300 1,700 
			 Closed 1,100 1,800 1,300 1,100 
			 (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100.  Source: Ofsted 
		
	
	Ofsted data on closures include registered places in settings which are transferring ownership, and in settings which move from one Ofsted category to another, not just in those which are ceasing trading. For example, if a full day care provider moved to offering sessional provision, this would be recorded as a 'closed' full day care setting and an 'opened' sessional day care setting. The Ofsted data therefore exaggerate the true extent of turnover.
	Ofsted have produced figures on the numbers of registered childcare providers and places on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published in their report "Registered Childcare Providers and Places, December 2006", which is available on their website at:
	www.Ofsted.gov.uk/

Written Questions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to answer questions  (a) 108839, on GCSEs, tabled on 7 December 2006,  (b) (i) 112807 and (ii) 112766, on the study of foreign languages, tabled on 18 December 2006 and  (c) 118399, on GCSEs, tabled on 30 January 2007, by the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

Jim Knight: In response to the hon. Member's questions 108839 and 112807, the replies were issued on 20 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 705-06W. A response to question 118339 was issued on 20 February 2007,  Official Report, column 696W. A response to question 112766 was issued on 6 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1910W.

Young People: Homelessness

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 16 year olds were recorded as homeless in  (a) the UK and  (b) Lancashire in each of the last 10 years.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	Information about English local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected in respect of households rather than persons. The number of households accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty, is not collected specifically for 16 year olds.
	We collect data by the priority need category of acceptances, including those applicants vulnerable through being 16 or 17 years old, which is available since 2003/04. However, note that some 16 and 17 year olds applicants may have been accepted in alternative priority need categories, for example through having dependant children or being a pregnant woman, and so will not show up in these figures.
	The following table present 16 or 17 year old priority need acceptance data for Lancashire local authorities, and for England. We do not hold data for the devolved Administrations.
	
		
			  Acceptances (households) by priority need category—vulnerable through being 16 or 17 years old—Lancashire LAs and England 
			   16/17 year old priority need acceptances (households) 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 4 4 3 
			 Blackpool 34 21 25 
			 Burnley 15 16 9 
			 Chorley 27 19 28 
			 Fylde — — — 
			 Hyndburn 26 35 2 
			 Lancaster 10 — 11 
			 Pendle 18 15 9 
			 Preston 24 46 8 
			 Ribble Valley 6 3 1 
			 Rossendale 25 11 5 
			 South Ribble 44 28 18 
			 West Lancashire 4 3 3 
			 Wyre 7 13 4 
			 England 10,060 9,480 7,440 
			  Note: England figure includes imputed data for missing Las.  Source: CLG PIE Quarterly Homelessness Returns 
		
	
	In 2002, the Government strengthened the priority order to include young people who were at risk of homelessness in England and encouraged local authorities to take positive steps to tackle youth homelessness.
	In 2006, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced a commitment to end the use of bed and breakfast hotels for 16 and 17 years olds, except in emergencies, by 2010; establishing supported lodging schemes across the country; and a drive to improve access to mediation schemes.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Child Care

Annette Brooke: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what follow-up studies he has commissioned on the effectiveness and acceptability of the child care voucher scheme introduced two years ago for those working in the House; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: In 2003, following a feasibility study, it was decided to extend the child care voucher provision for House staff to Members' staff. Provision of vouchers was thought to be the best solution to child care arrangements as it allows parents the choice of where best to have their children cared for. Take up of the scheme is currently 125 House staff and 55 Members' staff. There has been no more recent study of the child care scheme.
	The Members Estimate Committee is looking again at child care provision for Members.

Child Care

Annette Brooke: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what discussions the House authorities have had with Government offices located near to the House about possible joint provision of crèche facilities for visitors or workers.

Nick Harvey: Officials within the House Service are aware of the arrangements of some nearby Government offices. No discussions about a possible joint provision of crèche facilities have taken place.
	Information gathered informally in December 2006 suggest that both FCO and MOD have workplace nurseries, but not crèches while other Departments buy nursery places for staff within nearby establishments.

Paper

Philip Hollobone: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what volume of paper waste was generated on the House of Commons estate in each of the last five years.

Nick Harvey: The volume of paper waste which has been generated on the House of Commons estate is not known, but the volume of paper waste which is collected separately from the general waste for the whole of the parliamentary estate and sent for recycling in each of the last five years is given as follows:
	
		
			   Tonnes 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 234.53 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 208.53 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 265.70 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 401.88 
			 April 2006 to December 2006 297.78 
		
	
	The recording of the paper waste started in April 2002 and it is not possible to determine the volume of paper waste collected on the House of Commons part only of the parliamentary estate.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fine the European Commission has imposed on the Government due to its failure to pay the 2005 single farm payments; and from which resources payment of the fine will be drawn.

Ian Pearson: To date, the European Commission has not proposed any financial corrections for the administration of the 2005 Single Payment Scheme. Should any proposals be made, the Government will continue to defend the UK's interests.

Air Pollution: Aviation

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage reductions in non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions from air travel.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 6 March 2007
	The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates the total impact of aviation on climate change to be 2-4 times that of its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions alone. The Government have consistently called for both the CO2 and non-CO2 impacts of aviation to be addressed to the extent that is possible. For an international industry, an international trading scheme is the best solution and we are therefore pursuing this in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). However, we recognise that the need for consensus among the participating states in ICAO means progress will take time, and until a truly global solution can be found, including aviation CO2 emissions in the EU emissions trading scheme ETS represents the best multilateral option available.
	We welcome the European Commission's proposal, published in December 2006, for legislation to include aviation in the EU ETS. The Government agrees that non-CO2 effects of aviation would be best dealt with by a separate, tailored instrument and looks forward to the Commission's proposal to address nitrous oxide (NOX) emissions by the end of 2008. We will continue to work with the Commission and other member states during negotiation of the directive.
	The Government have also invested £5 million in the opportunities for meeting the environmental challenge of growth in aviation (OMEGA) project. This will foster knowledge transfer from academic research centres to industry and help the aviation sector respond to the sustainability challenge. We welcome the industry's sustainable aviation strategy as the start of an ongoing process and look forward to deepening and strengthening of targets.

Biofuels: Production

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Government's five per cent. biofuel target is met by domestic production; and what percentage of bio-fuel production is from domestic supply.

Ian Pearson: The Government are incentivising the production and use of biofuels through a 20 pence per litre duty rate cut for biodiesel and bioethanol which has been extended to 2008-09. This has led to a growth in the sales of biofuel, with a total of around 30 million litres of biofuels sold a month in 2006. This represents a market share of over 0.5 per cent. of road fuel for 2006, compared to 0.24 per cent. in 2005.
	At present, the UK produces biofuels from recycled waste vegetable oil and animal fats. However, a number of companies are either building, or planning to build, biofuel processing plants which will use UK-grown crops (such as oilseed rape, sugar beet and wheat) as a feedstock. A new plant in Scotland will produce 50 million litres of biodiesel a year from animal fats and used cooking oil. A new plant on Teesside will produce up to 250 million litres of biodiesel a year from oilseed rape and other vegetable oils. A plant is being built in Norfolk that will produce biofuels from sugar beet and other feedstocks, and various other plants are at the planning stage.
	The Home-Grown Cereals Authority and the Renewable Energy Association have recently held a series of regional biofuel workshops across England aimed at helping to develop a UK biofuels industry. The workshops covered Government policy, local activities and opportunities for farmers.
	Farmers can also grow biofuel crops on set-aside land, or claim the €45 per hectare EU energy aid payment in respect of crops grown on non set-aside land, and still claim the EU Single Payment. The development of second generation biofuels should offer opportunities in the future to use feedstocks such as grasses and woody biomass.

Carbon Emissions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Community Energy programme in reducing carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: By 2010, the Community Energy programme will have delivered an estimated saving of 28,000 tonnes of carbon (tC) each year against a programme target of 150,000 tC.
	The 2006 climate change programme review involved a wide-ranging appraisal of the effectiveness of existing climate change policies. We concluded that other programmes deliver carbon savings in a more cost-effective way, compared with the Community Energy programme. The scheme will run until March 2007 for completion of approved schemes, but it is now closed for new applications.

Energy: Conservation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what publicly-funded programmes are available to help install energy efficiency measures in households that are not connected to the  (a) main gas supply and  (b) electricity grid; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government's Warm Front scheme provides heating and energy efficiency measures to vulnerable households in England, including those not on the gas network and/or the electricity grid.
	The Department of Trade and Industry's Design and Demonstration Unit, in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies in North-East England and Yorkshire and the Number, has begun a demonstration programme to assist deprived communities in both regions. This programme is intended to deliver a variety of assistance, including energy efficiency measures to 4,000 homes in 40 communities, currently off the gas network.

Energy: Conservation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households not connected to the mains supply were helped with energy efficiency measures through  (a) Warm Front and  (b) other schemes in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The data are not available to establish precisely how many households have been helped by Warm Front that are not connected to the mains gas supply. However, since June 2005, 93,687 households that do not have gas as their main source of heating have been assisted with a range of energy efficiency and heating measures.
	In addition, 2,600 households received a gas supply funded by Warm Front that enabled them to benefit from the installation of either gas wall heaters or a gas fired central heating system.

Energy: Orders and Regulations

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the  (a) one-off and  (b) recurring cost of implementing the Electricity and Gas (Energy Efficiency Obligations) Order 2001 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Ian Pearson: The Department's "Assessment of Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002-05 Carbon, Energy and Cost Savings" (March 2006), estimated the costs to energy suppliers of meeting their energy efficiency obligations at around £360 million or about £3.20 per customer per fuel per year.
	We do not anticipate that there are any recurring costs for energy suppliers (other than complying with subsequent obligations). This delivered energy-saving measures to customers with overall cost-effectiveness of about £300 per tonne of carbon saved. On average, the costs will be more than outweighed by the benefits to householders in terms of reduced fuel bills or increased comfort from the installation of energy efficiency measures. The regulator, Ofgem, estimated its administrative costs for the three year programme at £1 million.

Environmental: Employment

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether his Department has plans to publish proposals on environmental technology and their employment potential;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that could be created in the environmental technology sector over the next five years;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the total number of jobs that could be created from the environmental technology sector over the next five years.

Ian Pearson: The UK environmental goods and services industry is strong, well established and diverse, employing approximately 400,000 people in around 17,000 companies, with an estimated annual turnover of £25 billion. A recent joint DTI/DEFRA report estimates that this turnover will increase to more than £34 billion by 2010 and £46 billion by 2015. This is available on the DTI website at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/sectors/environmental/index.html
	A Commission on environmental markets and economic performance was established in November last year and will publish its report in the spring. It will make recommendations on how the UK can make the most of the opportunity that environmental protection can present for wealth creation and employment growth. The Commission is jointly-chaired by the Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Trade and Industry, and its membership is drawn from business, NGOs, academia, trade unions and public sector organisations.

Flood Control: Eastbourne

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans have been drawn up in the event of flooding in Eastbourne.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA has lead responsibility for national preparedness for flooding in England and is working, as part of the Cabinet Office-led Capabilities Programme, to build the capability of all key players. Regionally, the lead planning role falls to the Government Offices working with the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and emergency services. The EA's role involves the forecasting and warning of potential flooding from rivers and the sea, and the police will lead the response during an actual emergency.
	I understand that Eastbourne is at risk from both rivers and the sea, although coastal flooding poses the greatest threat. In 1996, an inter-agency Coastal Flood Evacuation plan was drawn up to deal with the threat of flooding to the vulnerable coastline at Pevensey Bay, Normans Bay and Eastbourne, covering approximately 15,000 properties.
	Lessons learned from an evacuation of Pevensey in 1999 led to production of the Pevensey Bay Flood Plan in 2000 which covers the areas of Normans Bay, Westham, Langney and parts of Eastbourne. The plan outlines inter-agency responsibilities, activation and notification processes for evacuation and also the means of providing support and advice for the community, especially more vulnerable members.
	All category one responders, as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act, contributed to the Plan, in particular the EA, East Sussex county council and Eastbourne borough council. The Plan is reviewed and exercised every three years with lessons learned (for example, flooding incidents in 1999 and 2000) incorporated as they arise. It also covers river flooding from Langney Haven and can be applied to surface water flooding caused by intense storms, such as those which affected the Eastbourne Arndale shopping centre on 7 August 2006.

Groundwater Regulations 1998

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the  (a) one-off and  (b) recurring costs of implementing the Groundwater Regulations 1998 to (i) businesses and (ii) the regulators.

Ian Pearson: A compliance cost assessment, carried out before the groundwater regulations were introduced, estimated that the recurring cost per annum for a typical farmer disposing of used sheep dip to land would be in the range of £124.50 to £871.50. The assessment also estimated the non-recurring cost to be £711.50 to £1,528.50. In practice, the costs have been much lower—the typical annual cost is currently £137.92 and the typical one-off cost is £113. The cost to the Environment Agency of authorising discharges under the regulations is approximately £1.33 million per annum which is funded by charges to authorisation holders. No costs are available for the more general pollution prevention activity required under the regulations.
	The regulations have helped to raise awareness of the importance of protecting groundwater and have introduced controls over activities most likely to pollute it.
	DEFRA is committed to regulating better and has a target of a 25 per cent. reduction in administrative burdens. The implementation of a more risk-based approach to regulation, in conjunction with tougher penalties combined with improved effectiveness via focus on outcomes and simplification where possible, is fully consistent with this.

Sewers

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evidence his Department has collected on the condition of unadopted sewers in England.

Ian Pearson: The Government recently announced its decision to transfer responsibility for private sewers and drains to water and sewerage undertakers. This will apply to private sewers and drains in England which drain to public sewers. The accompanying Regulatory Impact Assessment explains that uncertainty surrounding the extent and condition of private sewers and lateral drains would only be resolved by undertaking a full internal survey and mapping exercise at prohibitively high cost. The unpublished UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) report, 'The Real Cost of Taking Over Private Sewers and Drains', estimated that a mapping exercise for England and Wales would alone cost £118 million. This would not investigate the condition of private sewers.

Warm Front Scheme

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2007,  Official Report, column 618W, on the Warm Front scheme, 
	(1)  which organisations and authorities were represented at the meetings held with officials;
	(2)  what steps have been considered to encourage Cornwall-based installers onto the Warm Front scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The organisations involved in the early discussions with Defra in January included the Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership, Kerrier district council, Penwith district council, West Cornwall Care and Repair, and the Warm Front scheme manager, Eaga plc.
	The next stage of work will involve discussion with Eaga plc and local installers, with arrangements rescheduled from an initial planned date of late February, to ensure maximum attendance from local representatives.

Warm Front Scheme

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints his Department has received about contractors employed by Eaga Partnership to undertake work for the Warm Front scheme.

Ian Pearson: The scheme manager, the Eaga Partnership, report that 1,039 complaints have been upheld regarding contractors between June 2005 and December 2006. This represents 0.3 per cent. of all work carried out on Warm Front for this period.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Honours

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Solicitor-General what the reasons were for the Attorney-General's intervention at court in relation to the current police investigation into honours; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: At all stages the Attorney-General was acting in his public interest capacity entirely independently of Government, which is a long-standing and well-established part of his role. His purpose was to protect the administration of justice. In particular, he acted at the request of the Metropolitan Police given their concerns that disclosure of certain information would impede their ongoing inquiries.
	There is of course a legitimate public interest in freedom of the press. But this must sometimes be balanced against the strong public interest in ensuring that crime is properly investigated and (where a trial takes place) that any trial is fair. That balance must be struck in accordance with the law and, ultimately, by the courts.
	The strict liability rule under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 accordingly prevents publications which give rise to a substantial risk of serious prejudice to the course of justice. The rule applies once there has been an arrest. In previous cases the Attorney has acted under the 1981 Act to restrain publications where police investigations are under way and before charges have been brought. For example in 2004 he obtained an injunction to prevent the publication of photographs of suspects arrested in a counter-terrorism investigation, although no charges had been brought at that stage. Also in 2004 the Attorney-General took action against Express Newspapers for publishing the identities of footballers accused of rape. The action was successful and resulted in a fine of £60,000 plus costs. In the event the police investigation itself did not lead to a prosecution.
	In the current honours case the sequence of events was as follows. On Friday 2 March, at the request of and in full co-operation with the police, the Attorney-General sought an injunction against the BBC to prevent the disclosure of certain information. After full argument, in court, Mr. Justice Wilkie granted the injunction. The judge ordered that the terms of the injunction were to be kept confidential. There was no argument (as reported in some places) by the Attorney-General that the BBC should be prevented from reporting the 'fact' that an injunction had been granted.
	Over the weekend,  The Sun and  The Mail on Sunday approached the Attorney-General's Office in relation to specific material which they proposed to publish about this case. In view of police concerns that publication would impede their investigation, those newspapers agreed voluntarily not to publish that material.
	On Monday 5 March the terms of the injunction against the BBC were varied to allow the BBC to report certain matters that had appeared in the newspapers over the weekend.
	Later on 5 March  The Guardian approached the Attorney-General's Office about a story it proposed to publish the following day.  The Guardian were informed that, in the police's view, publication of the proposed material would again potentially undermine their investigation. However  The Guardian refused to undertake not to publish. Accordingly lawyers acting for the Attorney-General's office, at the request of the police, sought an injunction to restrain publication of the material. Mrs. Justice Swift declined to grant such an injunction, on the grounds that during the hearing of the application itself the newspapers were printed and were being distributed.
	In the light of  The Guardian story on 6 March, the police considered that it was not tenable or appropriate for them to seek to maintain the injunction against the BBC or the undertakings obtained from the other newspapers. Accordingly, at a hearing on 6 March the police and the Attorney-General agreed to the lifting of the original injunction against the BBC.
	The police remain concerned that the reporting of certain aspects of this information could undermine the investigation.
	In acting to restrain the disclosure of particular material, and in agreeing to the lifting of the injunction, the Attorney-General should not be taken to have indicated or confirmed the accuracy of any aspect of that material.

HEALTH

Accidental Deaths

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent to reduce death rates from accidents since 1997; and what the rate was in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2006.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not hold information on specific expenditure to reduce death rates from accidents. Accident prevention is a cross-Government matter and an integral part of many Government policies, and therefore benefits from expenditure on the implementation of those policies.
	The most recent available deaths data are for 2005. In England, the death rate (per 100,000 population standardised to the European standard population) from accidents was 16.5 per 100,000 European standard population in 1997 and 15.9 per 100,000 European standard population in 2005.
	 Notes:
	1. Based on deaths registered in each calendar year, selected using the original underlying cause. Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD9) for 1997, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD10) for 2005 (codes for accidents: ICD9 E800-E928 excluding E870-E879; ICD10 V01-X59).
	2. Death rates are subject to year-on-year fluctuation.
	 Source:
	Death registrations and population estimates, Office for National Statistics.

Alcohol Consumption

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the health impact on young people of the increase in under 18 consumption of alcohol.

Caroline Flint: The number of young people receiving treatment as a result of alcohol misuse is a matter for concern. The Government are determined to reduce the harm caused by alcohol to those under 18 and to young people generally and is committed to educating young people, for example through the Know Your Limits campaign, the Healthy Schools Programme and the Teen Life Check, on the very real harm it causes. It is vital that we make children and young people aware of sensible drinking messages. This will be an important issue for consideration when the alcohol harm reduction strategy is reviewed during 2007.
	
		
			  All diagnoses count of finished admission episodes for under-18s with an alcohol-related diagnosis 1997-98 to 2005-06 (national health service hospitals, England). 
			   Number 
			 1997-98 6,456 
			 1998-99 5,809 
			 1999-2000 6,775 
			 2000-01 6,316 
			 2001-02 6,449 
			 2002-03 6,259 
			 2003-04 7,063 
			 2004-05 7,591 
			 2005-06 8,582 
			  Notes: 1. Diagnosis codes: F10 mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol; K70 alcoholic liver disease; T51 Toxic effect of alcohol. 2. Data are provided from 1997-98 to 2005-06 for under-18s with an alcohol-related diagnosis in either the primary diagnosis field or one of the secondary diagnosis fields. 3. Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 4. All diagnoses count of episodes: These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in a HES record. 5. Data quality: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 6. Ungrossed data: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, The Information Centre of health and social care

Community Nurses: Shropshire

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been referred to district and community nurses in Shropshire in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The information is not collected centrally.

Dental Services: Leeds

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many units of dental activity were contracted for in each of the last three years in Leeds.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) have had commissioning responsibilities since 1 April 2006. However, Leeds PCT had commissioned 1.177 million units of dental activity on 30 November 2006.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cervical smears have been undertaken in the East Kent and Coastal Primary Care Trust (PCT) and its previous incarnations in each year since 2004; and how many reminders of the need for a cervical smear were sent to women by the PCT in each such year.

Caroline Flint: The following tables show the number of women tested, the total number of tests and the total number of women invited for screening tests under the cervical screening programme in Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust (PCT) area in the years requested. The number of reminders is not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Cervical screening programme: Number of women tested, number of tests, and number of women invited in Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 
			  Number of women tested( 1)  in the review period 
			 2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 5QA Total all ages 49,109 48,424 48,685 
			Of which:
			   25-64 42,948 44,324 45,461 
			   
			 Ashford PCT 5LL Total all ages 7,801 7,909 7,858 
			Of which:
			   25-64 7,039 7,339 7,434 
			   
			 Canterbury and Coastal PCT 5LM Total all ages 11,959 10,969 11,437 
			Of which:
			   25-64 10,138 10,057 10,671 
			   
			 East Kent Coastal PCT 5LN Total all ages 15,699 15,672 15,757 
			Of which:
			   25-64 13,828 14,304 14,684 
			   
			 Shepway PCT 5LP Total all ages 6,840 6,552 6,646 
			Of which:
			   25-64 6,093 6,009 6,201 
			 Swale PCT 5L4 Total all ages 6,810 7,322 6,987 
			Of which:
			   25-64 5,850 6,615 6,471 
			 (1) First test in the review period  Source: KC53 part C1 The Information Centre 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of tests in the review period 
			2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 5QA 53,209 52,752 53,509 
			 Ashford PCT 5LL 8,462 8,669 8,723 
			 Canterbury and Coastal PCT 5LM 12,869 11,879 12,475 
			 East Kent Coastal PCT 5LN 16,916 17,113 17,276 
			 Shepway PCT 5LP 7,435 7,211 7,393 
			 Swale PCT 5L4 7,527 7,880 7,642 
			  Note: Unable to identify 25 to 64-year-olds  Source: KC53 part C3 The Information Centre 
		
	
	
		
			  Number invited for screening 
			 2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 5QA Total all ages 61,812 58,610 61,358 
			Of which:
			   25-64 51,716 52,917 56,199 
			   
			 Ashford PCT 5LL Total all ages 9,660 9,559 9,706 
			Of which:
			   25-64 8,386 8,708 9,015 
			   
			 Canterbury and Coastal PCT 5LM Total all ages 16,702 13,438 14,991 
			Of which:
			   25-64 13,041 11,907 13,523 
			   
			 East Kent Coastal PCT 5LN Total all ages 20,488 18,885 19,419 
			Of which:
			   25-64 17,541 17,139 17,882 
			   
			 Shepway PCT 5LP Total all ages 8,675 8,037 8,478 
			Of which:
			   25-64 7,528 7,298 7,806 
			   
			 Swale PCT 5L4 Total all ages 6,287 8,691 8,764 
			Of which:
			   25-64 5,220 7,865 7,973 
			  Note: Data prior to 2004-05 re-used with the permission of the Department of Health  Source: KC53 part B The Information Centre

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of progress by NHS organisations in rolling out the new screening procedure for cervical cancer.

Rosie Winterton: When the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published their technology appraisal on liquid based cytology (LBC) in October 2003, we estimated that it would take five years for full implementation across the national health service as all staff who take and read cervical screening samples have to be retrained in the new technique.
	By the end of March 2007, 83 per cent. of laboratories in England will have converted to LBC. The rate of inadequate tests (where the cervical sample cannot be read and analysed) in England fell from 9 per cent. in 2004-05 to 7.2 per cent. in 2005-06 as a direct result of the ongoing roll-out of LBC. We would expect these to fall to between 1 and 2 per cent. with full implementation. This will mean that around 300,000 women a year will not have to go through the anxiety and discomfort of being retested, and the NHS will not have to use resources to undertake these tests.

Community Hospitals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 1269-70W, on community hospitals, what the outcome of her Department's assessment of the bids was; whether her Department has received further bids for capital funding of community hospitals; which primary care trusts have submitted each bid; what the value of each bid is; which community hospitals each bid relates to; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: pursuant to the reply, 26 February 2007, Official Report, c. 110-11W
	On 21 December we announced that we would fund four of the 10 schemes that were submitted for consideration as part of wave one of the community hospitals and services programme. Decisions about three schemes in wave one are still outstanding, two schemes were withdrawn by strategic health authorities and one did not meet the criteria.
	25 schemes have been submitted in wave two and the total funding requested is £235.74 million. Not all the schemes submitted affect community hospitals as the intention of the programme is to support any capital scheme that delivers care in settings that are more convenient for patients, this includes for example one stop primary care centres and healthy living parks. A number of the schemes create new facilities that do not affect existing community hospitals.
	
		
			  Strategic health authority  PCT  Amount requested from DH (£ million)  Scheme 
			 South central Southampton City 6.079 Redevelopment of Royal South Hampshire hospital 
			 East of England Suffolk 1.76 Redevelopment of Felixstowe Community hospitals 
			 London Barking and Dagenham 5 Redevelopment of Barking hospital 
			 London Richmond and Twickenham 3.98 New health and social care centre in Teddington adjoining the Teddington Memorial hospital 
			 North East Hartlepool 7.25 New primary care centre in Hartlepool 
			 North East Berwick upon Tweed 24.7 New community hospital in Berwick 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Calderdale Kirklees 12.91 Redevelopment of number of sites in and around Huddersfield 
			 Yorkshire and Humber North Yorkshire and York 3.65 New community campus on the site of the Selby War Memorial hospital 
			 Yorkshire and Humber North East Lincolnshire 1.427 New primary care centre in Grimsby 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Rotherham 0.961 New primary care centre in Rotherham 
			 East Midlands Nottinghamshire County 1.149 Redevelopment of Ashfield hospital 
			 South East Coast Hastings and Rother 12 New health care centre in Hastings 
			 South West Peninsula Gloucestershire 13.23 New community services facilities in Bourton and Moreton 
			 South West Peninsula Gloucestershire 6.46 New facilities for community services in Berkley Vale 
			 South West Peninsula Gloucestershire 0.25 Refurbishment at the Cirencester hospital 
			 South West Peninsula Gloucestershire 1.1 Refurbishment at the Stroud hospital 
			 South West Peninsula South Gloucestershire 16.99 New community hospital in Kingswood 
			 South West Peninsula Bath and North East Somerset 6.51 New primary and community care centre in Keynsham 
			 South West Peninsula North Somerset 15.13 Redevelopment of Clevedon hospital 
			 South West Peninsula Somerset 15.32 Redevelopment of South Petherton hospital 
			 South West Peninsula Wiltshire 17.85 Redevelopment of Chippenham hospital 
			 South West Peninsula Wiltshire 32.92 New primary care centre in Salisbury 
			 South West Peninsula Wiltshire 11.6 New primary care centre in Salisbury 
			 South West Peninsula Bournemouth and Poole 7.17 New community hospital in Boscombe 
			 South West Peninsula Torbay 10.34 Redevelopment of Brixham hospital 
			 Total  235.74

Community Hospitals: Malvern

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the future of the proposed new community hospital in Malvern.

Andy Burnham: NHS West Midlands will be agreeing with Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT), in the light of its service and financial plans for 2007-08 onwards (to be finalised by the end of March 2007), the continued applicability and robustness of the business case for a new community hospital in Malvern. If the case remains strong and the PCT can demonstrate affordability and value for money, then the strategic health authority will work with the PCT to secure capital funding by whichever route is most appropriate and expeditious, including the opportunity to bid against the national £750 million community hospitals fund.

Departments: Discrimination

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress her Department has made in achieving gender equality in public appointments to bodies which fall within her Department's responsibility since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 5 March 2007
	The appointment of national health service trust chairs has been delegated to the Appointments Commission by the Secretary of State. I have, therefore, asked the Commission to write to my hon. Friend with the detailed information she has requested.

Diabetes: Pregnant Women

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to minimise risks during pregnancy for women with diabetes.

Rosie Winterton: Healthcare providers should remain alert throughout the entire antenatal period to signs or symptoms of conditions which affect the health of the mother and fetus, including diabetes.
	In November 2006, the Department produced the diabetes commissioning toolkit. The toolkit supports national health service commissioners of diabetes care at both primary care trust and practice level.
	The toolkit makes clear national and locally agreed guidelines and protocols that should be implemented in the care of pregnant women with diabetes. We expect local guidelines to reflect national guidelines and that all healthcare professionals will follow these guidelines in providing maternity care.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is currently developing guidelines on diabetes in pregnancy. The guidelines, which will cover the management of diabetes and its complications from pre-conception to the post-natal period, are expected to be published in November 2007.

Drinking Water: Public Places

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the availability of fresh drinking water in public places; and if she will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	Owners, or those who are responsible for the management of public buildings or other public places, may provide or make available a supply of drinking water. If they choose to do so, or are required to do so under a scheme of legislation, they may safely rely on the quality of the public drinking water supply.
	Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 employers are required to provide an adequate supply of "wholesome" drinking water for all people at work in the workplace. The supply should be readily accessible at suitable places, conspicuously marked by an appropriate sign where necessary for health or safety reasons. Unless the water is in a jet, employers should also provide cups.

Health Services: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library copies of the accounts for the  (a) West Cumberland hospital, Whitehaven, and  (b) the Cumberland infirmary, Carlisle, for each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold copies of annual reports of individual national health service organisations. These are available from North Cumbria acute hospitals NHS trust.

Health Services: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on services commissioned at the  (a) West Cumberland hospital, Whitehaven,  (b) Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, and (c) Cumberland Infirmary's predecessor in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Income from activities (provision of healthcare services  1998-99 to 2005-06 
			  £000 
			   West Cumbria Healthcare NHS trust  Carlisle Hospitals NHS trust  North Cumbria Acute NHS trust 
			 1998-99 48,063 47,602 n/a 
			 1999-2000 52,174 67,789 n/a 
			 2000-01 55,152 63,031 n/a 
			 2001-02 n/a n/a 112,186 
			 2002-03 n/a n/a 119,700 
			 2003-04 n/a n/a 129,296 
			 2004-05 n/a n/a 145,207 
			 2005-06 n/a n/a 159,544 
			  Source: NHS trust audited summarisation schedules for the relevant trusts.

Health Services: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the financial allocations were for the Cumbria primary care trust and its predecessors in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Revenue allocations were made to health authorities (HAs) between 1997-98 and to primary care trusts (PCTs) between 2003-04 and 2007-08. Table 1 shows the allocations to HAs in Cumbria. Table 2 shows the allocations to the PCTs which merged on 1 October 2006 to become Cumbria PCT.
	
		
			  Table 1: Allocations to HAs in Cumbria 
			  £ million 
			  HA  1996-97  1997-98  1998-99  1999-00  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03 
			 Morecambe Bay 139.7 145.3 151.7 205.7 224.1 243.0 268.4 
			 North Cumbria 132.7 138.0 144.7 198.9 217.8 235.5 261.7 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Allocations to PCT in Cumbria 
			  £ million 
			  PCT  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Carlisle and District 102.3 112.0 122.2 144.9 158.5 
			 Eden Valley 58.4 63.7 69.1 83.1 90.3 
			 Morecambe Bay 289.9 316.3 344.2 404.4 438.5 
			 West Cumbria 122.8 133.8 145.2 171.9 188.2 
			  Note: The area covered by the former Morecambe Bay PCT is now split between Cumbria and North Lancashire PCTs

Hepatitis: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of hepatitis C there were in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The numbers of laboratory cases of hepatitis C reported in the London region are shown in the table. Data for individual London boroughs are not collected centrally.
	
		
			   Number of laboratory cases 
			 2002 366 
			 2003 460 
			 2004 895 
			 2005 898 
			 2006 822 
			  Notes: Laboratory serological tests are not able to differentiate between acute and chronic cases of hepatitis C infection. Therefore laboratory reports of hepatitis C contain both recently acquired and past infections. For this reason the data represent newly diagnosed cases of hepatitis C as opposed to newly acquired infections.  Source:  Health Protection Agency Data as at 28 February 2007. Data for 2006 are provisional.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish an updated contingency plan on pandemic influenza.

Rosie Winterton: We are revising the existing plan for a response to pandemic influenza, updating it in the light of current knowledge and expanding it to cover all relevant Government Departments. The framework has been tested recently in Exercise Winter willow and will be made available to the public shortly for discussion before a final framework is produced and published in the summer.

Influenza: Disease Control

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 49W, on influenza: disease control, whether the World Health Organisation was involved in Operation Winter Willow.

Rosie Winterton: The World Health Organisation participated in the Exercise Winter Willow that was conducted to test the United Kingdom's response to an outbreak of pandemic influenza at local, regional and national levels.

Influenza: Vaccination

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements her Department has made to retain pharmaceutical production facilities in  (a) the UK and  (b) elsewhere to make a post-pandemic influenza virus vaccine; how many doses would be provided under such arrangements; what the timescale is for providing the vaccine following the identification of the virus; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We are working closely with other countries, the World Health Organization, and the European Commission and are in regular dialogue with manufacturers to ensure that a vaccine can be developed as quickly as possible for the whole population once a pandemic influenza strain emerges.
	The chief medical officer has invited manufacturers to tender for a contract to supply the UK with pandemic flu vaccine. This proposal, to purchase in advance the capacity needed to make pandemic flu vaccine, will make sure that an effective vaccine is available for use in the UK as quickly as possible after a flu pandemic starts. Tenders received are currently being evaluated.

Life Expectancy

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the evidential basis was of the statement made by the Minister of State with responsibility for delivery and quality on 14 December 2006,  Official Report, column 357WH, that the burden of disease is higher in areas with the lowest life expectancy than it is in areas with the longest life expectancy; and what definition of the burden of disease she uses.

Andy Burnham: The evidential basis for my statement is four indicators: premature mortality rates in under 75s from cancer and coronary heart disease; and in under 65s from stroke, and the prevalence of diabetes in people of all ages, as a proxy for the burden of disease.
	The following table shows that the 5 per cent. of primary care trusts (PCTs) with the longest life expectancy have a lower average burden of disease for each of the four indicators than the 5 per cent. of PCTs with the shortest life expectancy.
	
		
			   Males  Females 
			   Averages for the five per cent of PCOs with the  Averages for the five per cent of PCOs with the 
			   Shortest life expectancy  Longest life expectancy  Shortest life expectancy  Longest life expectancy 
			  Age standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population 
			 Cancer <75 years 180.49 113.67 138.52 92.06 
			 CHD <75 years 136.06 59.58 48.10 17.80 
			 Stroke <65 years 16.22 6.86 11.39 6.86 
			  
			  Percentage of persons on GPs' lists registered as diabetic 
			 Diabetes prevalence 3.8 3.1 4.0 3.2 
			  Notes: 1. The aggregate figures are population weighted averages (using populations rounded to the nearest 100 for the life expectancy and mortality data). For the life expectancy and directly age-standardised mortality rates, using a population-weighted average is only an approximation to the actual figures for the aggregate of areas. 2. The 5 per cent. of primary care organisations with the shortest/longest life expectancy values have been selected by ranking all PCOs by life expectancy (for males and females separately). Around the "cut off" point, if two or more PCOs have the same life expectancy, all PCOs with that figure for life expectancy are included in the "longest" or "shortest" 5 per cent. grouping. 3. Life expectancy at birth—data for PCOs for 2001-03. Primary care organisations (boundaries as of April 2003) 4. Mortality rates are directly age-standardised rates (DSR) per 100,000 European Standard population Data years 2002-04 (pooled) Causes of death are based on the International Classification of Diseases version 10 Mortality from all cancers (ICD10 C00-C97) Mortality from coronary heart disease (ICD10 120-125) Mortality from stroke (ICD10 160-169) Data are based on the original underlying cause of death. Data are based on the latest revisions of ONS population estimates for the respective years, current as at 20 December 2005. 5. Diabetes—unadjusted prevalence—aggregate figures for PCT not accounting for age-sex distribution of the PCT population Unadjusted prevalence = (number on disease register/list size) *100 Data for financial year 2005-06  Sources: 1. For life expectancy and mortality rate data: Health and Social Care Information Centre. Compendium of Clinical and Health Indicators/Clinical and Health Outcomes Knowledge Base (www.nchod.nhs.uk or nww.nchold.nhs.uk) National Statistics 2. For diabetes prevalence: Health and Social Care Information Centre, Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) QMAS database—2005-06 data as at end of June 2006 http://www.ic.nhs.uk/servicesnew/gof06/spreadsheets/ICfolder_view 
		
	
	In addition, there is a widening body of evidence which shows that proximity to death has a larger impact on health care costs than age. On average, around a quarter of all health care someone consumes in their lifetime is consumed in the last year of their life. This is what links the burden of disease to premature mortality.

Macular Degeneration: Drugs

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to refer the drug Avastin for use on age-related macular degeneration for appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; and if she will make a statement on the  (a) use and  (b) funding of Avastin in place of (i) Macugen and (ii) Lucentis within the NHS.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Avastin is not currently licensed for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There are no plans at present to refer Avastin for AMD to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for appraisal.
	If a patient is willing to be prescribed a drug off-licence, it is available on the clinician's judgment and subject to funding by the local primary care trust.

NHS Confederation: Finance

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding the Government provided to the NHS Confederation in each of the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: pursuant to the reply, 19 February 2007, Official Report, c. 57-58W
	The information requested for years 2001-02 to date is recorded in the table as follows. Information before 2001-02 could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Supplier  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 to  5 February 2007 
			 NHS Confederation 299,685 60,420 759,741 1,864,666 202,268 131,376 
			 NHS Confederation Project Company 0 544,139 1,065,665 1,663,516 169,693 762 
			 NHS Confederation Trading Company 333 0 0 0 0 0 
			 The NHS Confederation Trading 0 0 30,795 0 0 0 
			 NHS Confederation (Employers) 0 0 0 2,763,803 15,168,260 18,071,002 
			 Total 300,018 604,559 1,856,201 6,291,985 15,540,221 18,203,140

NHS Treatment Centres: North West Region

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost is of converting to clinical assessment, treatment and support centres premises in  (a) Whitegate Drive Primary Care Centre, FY3,  (b) South Shore hospital, FY4 1HX,  (c) Fleetwood Community hospital, FY7 6BE,  (d) Queen Victoria Site, Morecambe, LA4 5NN,  (e) Preston Healthport, PR2 8DW,  (f) Ormskirk District General hospital, L39 2AZ,  (g) Beardwood hospital, Blackburn, BB2 7AE,  (h) St Peter's Centre, Burnley, BB11 2DL,  (i) Hilltop Heights, Carlisle, CA1 2NS,  (j) Workington Community Hospital, CA14 2RW and  (k) Ulverston Health Centre, LA12 7BT.

Rosie Winterton: The locations of centres from which clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) services will be delivered in the north-west are still to be finalised and is the subject of public consultation by primary care trusts in the north-west.
	Commercial terms of the CATS procurement, including costs, are still under negotiation.

Health Services: Northern Region

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the projected  (a) capital and  (b) revenue costs of the clinical assessment treatment and support services in (i) Cumbria and (ii) Lancashire over the first 12 months of operation.

Andy Burnham: The provision of the clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) services in the South Lancashire area is the subject of ongoing commercial negotiations. Information on costs is commercially sensitive.
	The Department's procurement of health care services from the independent sector actively encourages providers to bid so as to ensure value for money, quality and innovative service delivery. Primary care trusts will pay national health service tariff for CATS services provided by the independent sector.

NHS: Finance

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the amount of public dividend capital is for each  (a) acute hospital trust,  (b) primary care trust and  (c) mental health trust.

Andy Burnham: This information has been placed in the Library and provides the amounts of public dividend capital (PDC) at the end of March 2006 for acute and mental health national health service trusts. Primary care trusts do not receive PDC.

NHS: Private Finance Initiative

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which private finance initiative health projects have been cancelled in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not keep records of private finance initiative (PFI) schemes below £10 million who have advertised in the  Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Schemes above this threshold which have advertised in OJEU and then subsequently stood down their bidders or ended the procurement in each year since 1997 are listed.
	
		
			Capital value  (£ million) 
			 1997 Rochdale National Health Service Trust(1) 24 
			  Central Sheffield University Hospitals NHS Trust(1) 24 
			  Berkshire and Battle NHS Foundation Trust(1) 84 
			  Guy's and St. Thomas NHS Foundation Trust (1) 50 
			
			 2000 Thames Gateway NHS Trust(1) 13 
			  Southampton Community Health Services NHS Trust(2) 20 
			  Portsmouth Healthcare NHS Trust(3) 11 
			  Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust(3) 14 
			
			 2004 Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 50 
			
			 2006 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 167 
			
			 2007 Plymouth NHS Trust(4) 400 
			  Plymouth NHS Trust(4) 200 
			 (1) These scheme subsequently went ahead using public capital. (2) This was re-tendered as a PFI scheme and opened to patient in January 2007. (3) These schemes were incorporated into larger PFI schemes which subsequently went ahead. (4) These schemes were proposals developed after an initial £340 million scheme which went out to OJEU in 2004 was reviewed. 
		
	
	In the written answer given to the hon. Member on 14 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1365W, I regret I did not give the information on costs of preparing business cases for failed PFI schemes for Berkshire and Battle NHS Trust and Guy's and St. Thomas NHS Trust. These are both foundation trusts and detailed information on abortive costs are not held centrally; this information can be sought from their respective chief executives.

North London Breast Screening Service

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the problem was which was identified on the routine audit of the North London Breast Screening Service and which resulted in its suspension; how long she expects the temporary suspension to last; what estimate she has made of the number of women affected by the suspension; how many women per month are normally seen by the service; what plans she is putting in place to clear the backlog; how long she expects the backlog to take to clear; what steps are being taken to resolve the issue which caused the suspension; what estimate she has made of the additional financial costs resulting from the suspension of the system and the steps necessary to resolve the problem; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This is a local matter. However, I understand that the temporary suspension was due to system process errors that were discovered during a routine audit by the quality assurance service. The audit flagged up that women were not invited for further assessments following their mammogram. All the women affected received a normal mammogram. However, the women had mentioned other possible symptoms during their appointment and guidelines specify that further assessment should take place. All these women have been offered appointments for further assessment either from the unit or via their general practitioner.
	The service was temporarily suspended just before Christmas and the trust, commissioners and staff are working hard to have the new systems and protocols in place so that the breast screening service can starting inviting women back for routine screening in April.
	Approximately 3,500 women are normally seen by the service and the trust estimates that approximately 10,000 women would have been affected by the suspension of the service.
	The trust with their partner primary care trusts (PCTs) have an action plan in place for the recommencement of screening and to clear the backlog.
	The unit is currently developing a full plan for the recommencement of screening services. Once this is complete they will be able to advise on estimates. It will also depend on whether arrangements can be made to screen women at other sites across London and the surrounding area. Women who have been waiting longest will be seen on a priority basis.
	Staff in the breast screening service are supporting an external independent audit, reviewing protocols and taking part in staff training to ensure new procedures are embedded into the service. When the unit does re-open all cases will be audited by the quality assurance service to ensure that systems are working properly and that these will continue until the trust is sure that they are.
	The suspension of the service was not in any way due to financial reasons. The additional financial costs for resuming the service will depend on the outcome and recommendations of the quality assurance review. It is therefore not possible to make an estimate of the costs at this time.

Nurses

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for nurses there are in the NHS, broken down by region.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 7 March 2007
	The table shows the number of three month vacancies for qualified nurses as at 31 March 2006 broken down by strategic health authority region.
	
		
			  Three months vacancies for total qualified nurses as at 31 March 2006 
			   Qualified nurses 
			  England 2,884 
			   
			  North East 109 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 62 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 47 
			   
			  North West 210 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 60 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 27 
			 Greater Manchester 123 
			   
			  Yorkshire and the Humber 312 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 153 
			 South Yorkshire 24 
			 West Yorkshire 135 
			   
			  East Midlands 139 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 105 
			 Trent 35 
			   
			  West Midlands 107 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 65 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 5 
			 West Midlands South 37 
			   
			  East of England 386 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 150 
			 Essex 73 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 163 
			   
			  London 1,107 
			 North Central London 182 
			 North East London 140 
			 North West London 432 
			 South East London 333 
			 South West London 20 
			   
			  South East Coast 202 
			 Kent and Medway 18 
			 Surrey and Sussex 185 
			   
			  South Central 229 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 166 
			 Thames Valley 63 
			   
			  South West 69 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 39 
			 Dorset and Somerset 7 
			 South West Peninsula 23 
			   
			  Special health authorities and other statutory bodies 12 
			  Notes: 1. SHA figures are based on trusts and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of Healthcare. 2. Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2006 which trusts are actively trying to fill which had lasted for three months or more (full-time equivalents).  Source: National Health Service March 2006 Vacancy Survey.

Nurses

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people had graduated from nursing courses and not completed a preceptorship one year after their graduation in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many people are in their final year of training to become nurses;
	(3)  how many of those who graduated from nursing courses had not taken up NHS nursing posts one year after qualification in each of the last five years in  (a) England and  (b) Leeds.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 7 February 2007
	This information is not collected centrally.

Nurses

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the Government on media advertisements and promotional activities seeking to attract people to nursing in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 7 February 2007
	The Department has not undertaken any solely nursing recruitment advertising or promotion during the period requested. However, we have undertaken advertising and promotional activities for recruitment to the national health service as a whole, including nursing, and that spend covering the last three years can be provided.
	The table sets out the cost of for NHS Careers recruitment publicity for years 2003-06.
	
		
			  National health service including nurse recruitment 
			   £ million 
			 2003-04 6.72 
			 2004-05 9.22 
			 2005-06 3.33

Nurses

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many consultant nurses there were in each  (a) primary care trust and  (b) hospital trust in each year since 1997;
	(2)  when the first consultant nurse was appointed; and where the appointment was made.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Information on the number of consultant nurses has been collected since 2001. The number of consultant nurses in each primary care trust and hospital trust has been placed in the Library.
	Information on when and where the first consultant nurse post was created is not collected centrally.

Primary Care Trusts: Durham

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of redundancy packages to the Durham primary care trust (PCT) arising from the merger of PCTs in the county of Durham.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.

Primary Care Trusts: Greater London

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the primary care trusts in London which have chairmen appointed on a temporary basis.

Rosie Winterton: The appointment of national health service trust chairs has been delegated to the Appointments Commission by the Secretary of State. I have, therefore, asked the Commission to write to the hon. Gentleman with the detailed information he has requested.

Skin Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the extent of the under-reporting of skin cancer cases; and what estimate she has made of the actual figure for such cases.

Rosie Winterton: Just under 67,000 new cases of malignant melanoma of the skin and other malignant neoplasms of the skin were reported in England in 2004. We have not made an assessment of the under-reporting of skin cancer cases.

Skin Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the potential annual cost of treating skin cancer by 2022.

Rosie Winterton: We do not hold information centrally on levels of funding for specific cancer types, including skin cancer. However we estimate that a total of around £3.4 billion was spent on cancer services in 2003-04 and this increased by around 12 per cent. each year to £3.8 billion in 2004-05, and £4.3 billion in 2005-06.
	National health service funding is allocated to primary care trusts to meet the health needs of their local population who, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for cancer services.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Deployment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operations are being undertaken by British troops  (a) in the UK and  (b) overseas.

Adam Ingram: UK military personnel are involved in a number of military operations including:
	in the UK on Op Banner (Northern Ireland), Homeland security, including Quick Reaction Alert for both National and NATO operations and wider support under Military aid to Civil Authorities.
	overseas on Op Telic (Iraq), Op Herrick (Afghanistan), Op Oculus (Bosnia and Kosovo) and the Falkland Islands to which operational elements of UK forces are also deployed. A small number of UK military personnel are involved with other operations, including UN operations in Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Liberia, Nepal, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
	In addition military personnel contribute to other discrete operations in the UK and overseas such as Search and Rescue or the provision of aircraft to the NATO Airborne Early Warning Force.

Armed Forces: Heatstroke

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps have been taken to minimise the number of heat-related casualties in the armed forces deployed on operations;
	(2)  what measures are taken to ensure that British service personnel are properly  (a) trained and  (b) equipped to operate in conditions of extreme (i) heat and (ii) cold;
	(3)  what training medical personnel in the armed forces receive on training and preventing heat-related casualties;
	(4)  how many heat-related  (a) casualties and  (b) deaths of British service personnel there have been in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan since the commencement of operations.

Derek Twigg: Military personnel operating in Iraq and Afghanistan are subjected to extreme temperatures, both in armoured vehicles and in their day-to-day duties, and commanders on the ground constantly review the necessity of the tasks they face in order to reduce the exposure of troops.
	Various steps are taken to prevent heat related illnesses. Personnel undertake an acclimatisation programme as part of their reception, staging and onward integration (RSOI) training which commences at the beginning of an operational tour and generally lasts for five days. Commanders are provided with heat illness prevention instructions in order to monitor heat stress. Temperature and humidity levels are forecast daily as part of standard operating procedures (SOPs) thereby allowing commanders to schedule workloads accordingly. Wherever operationally feasible air conditioning is used in accommodation, business offices, facilities such as welfare and catering and medical facilities in the main camps in operational theatres, although clearly not possible in all operational areas. Canteen areas have large fridges which are stocked with a plentiful supply of cold water.
	It is also important that air conditioning does not hinder acclimatisation. Research conducted by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM), which has been reflected in permanent joint headquarters (PJHQ) SOPs, recommends that acclimatisation will be achieved and maintained if personnel are exposed to two hours of heat per day, undertaking some physical activity sufficient to cause sweating.
	Advice given to officers, soldiers, trainers and medics on the treatment of heat and cold injury is contained within JSP 539 ("Climatic Injuries in the Armed Forces: Prevention and Treatment"). Additionally, PJHQ issues advice relevant to individual theatres of operation. A copy of the JSP 539 is in the House Library.
	Since 2003, coroners' inquests to date have found that one reservist private, one regular army corporal and one RAF senior aircraftsman have died as a result of heat-related conditions while serving in Iraq.
	In Iraq during the 34 month period from September 2004 to July 2006, 284 service personnel were recorded with a complaint of climatic injury—all heat related—of whom 80 needed to be admitted to a field hospital or otherwise bedded down. In Iraq, the temperature and humidity can change very quickly, increasing the likelihood of sudden increased instances of heat illness. In Afghanistan during the four month period from April to July 2006, PJHQ recorded 33 cases of climatic injury—all likely to be heat related, of whom 16 needed to be bedded down.

Armed Forces: Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has received from Annington Homes, under the profit-sharing scheme, from the proceeds of sales of former Ministry of Defence  (a) housing and  (b) land in each (i) district and (ii) unitary authority in Hampshire in each year since the scheme began; what estimate he has made of revenues in each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held in the format requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not benefit directly from the Profit Share Agreement (PSA) with Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL). The proceeds from the PSA go directly to the Treasury. Since the sale and leaseback of Service Families Accommodation to AHL in 1996 some 13,500 quarters have been returned to AHL under the terms of the agreement. Following the subsequent sale by AHL of most of these properties, some £140 million has been paid to the Treasury under the PSA mechanism.
	No estimate of revenues can be made for forthcoming years as the MOD are not part of the AHL decision making process regarding the sale or retention by them of properties returned under the terms of the Sale Agreement.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the television recruitment campaigns for  (a) regulars and  (b) reserves in all services which his Department has produced since January 2006.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 5 March 2007
	The armed forces' television recruitment campaigns since January 2006 were as follows:
	
		
			   2006  2007 
			  Naval Service   
			 RN Regular No TV activity Ongoing campaign 1 January-31 March 
			 RN Reserves No TV activity No TV activity to date 
			 Royal Marines Campaign January-March on C4, C5 (excl. London) and Satellite TV. No TV activity to date 
			 RM Reserves No TV activity No TV activity to date 
			
			  Army   
			 Infantry January-March; and June-September No TV activity to date 
			 Regular (Scotland and N. Ireland) Jan-March; and April-June + September. No TV activity to date 
			 All (Everest West Ridge campaign) April-May None planned 
			 Territorial Army Ongoing campaign October-March 2007 Ongoing campaign until end March. 
			
			  RAF   
			 RAF Regular Campaign 16 January-12 March on ITV, C4, C5 and Satellite TV. Campaign 15 Jauary-12 March on ITV, C4, C5 and Satellite TV. 
			 RAF Reserves No TV activity No TV activity to date

Armed Forces: Security

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 314W, on Armed Forces: Security, if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest briefing.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding the information as it would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.

Committees: Ministerial Attendance

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions  (a) he and  (b) departmental Ministers have been requested to appear before committees of (i) devolved institutions and (ii) the European Parliament since 2004; on what topic in each case; how many and what proportion of such requests were accepted; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Defence Ministers do not regularly attend committees of the devolved institutions of Wales and Scotland or the European Parliament and it is not possible to provide the detailed information requested on the number of invitations received without incurring disproportionate cost. However, at the invitation of the Committee, the then Secretary of State for Defence made an address to the European Parliament Committee for Foreign Affairs on 22 November 2005 and addressed the Scottish Parliament on 25 October 2005.

Departments: Freedom of Information

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of monitoring the time spent processing requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the purposes of the proposed fees regulations.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not routinely monitor the time spent processing requests for information (RFI) under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000, and therefore no estimates have been made of the cost of such a process. However, as part of a review co-ordinated by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, a one-off assessment was made of the time spent (and actual costs incurred) in answering all RFI received in a one week period in early 2006. The costs of this monitoring exercise were borne within existing budgets and no estimate of the total cost of the monitoring exercise has been made.

Departments: Nurseries

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) nursery and crèche places and  (b) other facilities are provided for the children of employees of his Department in London.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence has two work place nurseries in London: the Acorn nursery in main building which provides 35 full day care places and Hyde Park barracks nursery which provides 24 full day care places.
	MOD employees also have access to the interdepartmental Westminster holiday play scheme which operates on four sites in central London during school holidays for children from four years nine months to 12 years old.

Departments: PFI

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's budget will be taken up by private finance initiative commitments in each of the next 10 years, assuming that the budget grows in line with the Treasury's estimates for gross domestic product over the period; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Treasury forecasts for GDP, as set out on their website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk, only extend out to financial year 2010-11. Assuming the Defence budget grows in line with the GDP deflator, the estimated percentage of the Department's budget taken up by private finance initiative unitary charge payments for signed deals would be as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Estimated percentage of budget taken by PFI 
			 2007-08 3.6 
			 2008-09 3.6 
			 2009-10 3.7 
			 2010-11 3.6 
		
	
	These figures exclude projects currently considering the private finance initiative as a procurement option, but on which final decisions have not been taken.

Departments: PFI

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's budget was taken up by private finance initiative commitments in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The percentage of the Department's budget taken up by private finance initiative expenditure on unitary charge payments for which information is available is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Percentage of budget taken by PFI 
			 1999-2000 1.4 
			 2000-01 2.0 
			 2001-02 2.3 
			 2002-03 2.2 
			 2003-04 2.4 
			 2004-05 2.7 
			 2005-06 3.2 
			 2006-07 3.5

Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of soldiers serving with UK forces from each country of the Commonwealth in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: Data on the nationality of armed forces personnel deployed on operation are not held centrally in databases of individual records and it is therefore not possible to give figures by Nationality.

MOD Police

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1046W, on the MOD Police, what the reason is for the level of reduction in the number of his Department's police officers at the Colchester Garrison.

Derek Twigg: The reduction results from a review of policy needs across the Army estate that was carried out by Land Command.

Navy: Deployment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what average percentage of Royal Navy personnel was away at sea at any one time in the last period for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1266W, to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski).

Navy: Reserve Forces

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his strategy is for bringing the Royal Navy Reserve up to strength.

Derek Twigg: Recruiting is essential to maintaining an effective force and comprehensive recruiting plans have been prepared to ensure that the RNR strength is maintained at the required level. These plans include:
	increased recruiting targets;
	a simplified recruiting process;
	improvements to the RNR website;
	a more comprehensive range of RNR advertisements.
	Retention is not currently an issue within the RNR. Over the past six years outflow has remained stable.

Nuclear Weapons

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the questions submitted by the public as part of his online question and answer session on 17 January were on the UK's nuclear weapons; and what criteria were used to select the questions to be answered.

Des Browne: During the online webchat on 17 January, there were nearly 550 questions submitted, around 20 per cent. of which were related to the UK's nuclear weapons or non-proliferation policy. There were no set criteria used to select the questions to be answered.

Nuclear Weapons

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1046W, on nuclear weapons, if he will make available copies of each of the written submissions on the future of UK nuclear weapons.

Des Browne: holding answer 5 March 2007
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Rothwell (Colin Challen).

Nuclear Weapons

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of exploding a  (a) 0.5 KT,  (b) 100 KT and  (c) 500 KT nuclear warhead launched from a Trident submarine on to a centre of population density.

Des Browne: The impacts of the detonation of a nuclear weapon would depend on a wide range of variable factors. These include the yield and design of the weapon; the accuracy of the delivery system; the nature and construction of the target; the geographical characteristics of the surrounding terrain; geological conditions in the target area; the height of weapon burst; and the weather conditions at the target. I am withholding information on UK nuclear warhead yields as it would, or would be likely to prejudice national security.

Nuclear Weapons

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the responses he has received to the consultation on the proposed replacement for Trident.

Des Browne: holding answer 19 February 2007
	Between 4 December 2006 and 1 March 2007, the Department received 838 cards and letters that related in whole or in part to renewing the nuclear deterrent. Examples of the cards received, copies of the representations from organisations and groups, and a statistical analysis of the content of individually written letters will be placed in the Library of the House. We are also making this material available on the Ministry of Defence website at:
	www.mod.uk.

Royal Naval Hospital Haslar

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what name the Royal Hospital Haslar will be known after 1 April 2007.

Derek Twigg: We see no reason to change the name.

Urgent Operational Requirements

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2007,  Official Report, column 963W, on urgent operational requirements, what plans he has to review the system for informing Ministers of requests for equipment made at higher command levels.

Des Browne: We keep our arrangements for handling urgent operational requirements (UORs) under constant review. As well as receiving regular updates on UORs in the round, Ministers are informed as necessary about specific UORs which require their attention. The UOR process is highly successful in procuring and delivering operation-specific capability rapidly to UK forces.

Warships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when he expects to reply substantively to question 109277, on destroyer and frigate availability, tabled by the hon. Member for New Forest, East for named day answer on 18 December 2006;
	(2)  how many of the Fleet's  (a) destroyers and  (b) frigates are not available for service; and for what reason in each case.

Adam Ingram: holding answers 2 March 2007
	I refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent to him on 6 March 2006, which identifies the destroyers and frigates that are at low states of readiness. These include one destroyer (HMS Liverpool) and four frigates (HMS Cumberland, HMS Somerset, HMS Iron Duke and HMS St. Albans). As explained in my letter, in all cases these ships are at low readiness because they are preparing for, or undergoing, refit.

Warships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether HMS Albion is scheduled to be placed in extended readiness; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 6 March 2007
	I am withholding details as it would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of our armed forces.
	I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 6 March to him, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Departments: Nurseries

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) nursery and crèche places and  (b) other facilities are provided for the children of employees of her Department in London.

Angela Smith: The Department does not provide nursery or crèche places, however, we offer the following facilities to staff with children in addition to a range of flexible working, special leave and career break options:
	Staff can apply to join the salary sacrifice scheme to purchase child care vouchers. Child care vouchers are exempt from national insurance contributions (NIC) and income tax, so staff only pay NIC and tax on the remainder of their salary.
	Staff with children aged between four years and nine months and 12 years can apply for a place on the Westminster Holiday Playscheme. The Department funds 50 per cent. of the cost of places, so the charge to staff is £13.39 per child, per day.
	For staff with children under five who meet the eligibility criteria, the Department provides a child care voucher to the maximum value of £23.81 per week to assist with child care costs.

Homelessness: Eastbourne

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding  (a) Eastbourne council and  (b) voluntary sector organisations in Eastbourne have received from the Homelessness Directorate under the Hostels Improvement Programme.

Yvette Cooper: The Hostels Capital Improvement Programme (HCIP) will provide over £90 million to around 143 projects in 47 local authority areas in England. In the South Eastern region, 18 projects have been allocated HCIP funding, totalling over £13 million.
	No funding from the HCIP has been allocated to Eastbourne borough council or to voluntary sector organisations in Eastbourne.

Homelessness: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless people there were in Lancashire in each of the last 10 years.

Yvette Cooper: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly at local authority level, in respect of households rather than people. The county of Lancashire includes the following local authorities: Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Wyre.
	Information reported each quarter by local authorities about their activities under homelessness legislation includes the number of households accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty.
	The duty owed to an accepted household is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available. The number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by the councils under homelessness legislation, as at the end of each quarter, is reported by local authorities, and includes both those households who have been accepted as owed the main homelessness duty, and those for which inquiries are pending.
	This data is published in our quarterly statistical release on Statutory Homelessness, which includes a Supplementary Table showing the breakdown of key data, including acceptances and temporary accommodation, by each local authority. This is published on our website and placed in the Library each quarter.
	Since 1998, information has also been collected on the number of people who sleep rough—that is, those who are literally roofless on a single night—and these are also published on our website, by local authority.
	Summary tables showing the total number of households (a) accepted under homelessness provisions and (b) in temporary accommodation, from 1997-98 to 2005-06, and (c) rough sleeper estimates from 1998 onwards, for each local authority (including those within the county of Lancashire), were placed in the Library in October 2006. Note that these summary tables also include any revisions made by local authorities since the Supplementary Tables were published.

Local Government: Somerset

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what plans she has to consult the residents of Somerset before making a decision on local government reorganisation in the county; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will make it her policy to consult the people of Somerset on all the proposals for local government organisation made in 2007 to her Department by the  (a) district councils and  (b) County Council in Somerset; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: It was open to councils in their submissions to provide information about the public support for their proposal.
	Those proposals which will proceed to stage 2 of the assessment process will be subject to consultation. We intend this consultation will be for a 12-week period from the end of March until the end of June 2007. Within this period, it will be open to anyone to make representations to the Secretary of State on the proposals.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Arms Trade

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on UK policy on re-exporting arms.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government do not differentiate between arms exported or re-exported from the UK. All arms exports from the UK are subject, principally, to rigorous assessment against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

Arms Trade

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of UK arms imports were subsequently re-exported in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: The import of arms into the UK and export of arms from the UK are two separate Government functions. The Government do not keep a record of the serial numbers of arms that are imported into the UK, and it is therefore not possible to say how many of these imports were subsequently re-exported under an export licence.

Arms Trade: Balkans

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the assault rifles imported from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia in 2005 were subsequently re-exported; and how many were destroyed.

Malcolm Wicks: The import of assault rifles into the UK and export of assault rifles from the UK are two separate Government functions. The Government do not keep a record of the serial numbers of the assault rifles that were imported into the UK, and it is therefore not possible to say how many of these weapons were subsequently re-exported under an export licence. With regard to how many imported assault rifles have been destroyed, this is a matter for the Home Office.

Energy: Conservation

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he is giving to electric heating as part of requirements to reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Member for the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), on 5 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1799W.

Radioactive Wastes: Waste Management

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management on the disposal of nuclear waste.

Malcolm Wicks: The UK Government and the devolved Administrations have worked together closely on radioactive waste policy and in particular on the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) programme. The Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations have been party to the arrangements that have been set in place and the decisions that have been taken. That was made clear when Scottish and Welsh Ministers made statements to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales on 25 October 2006, similar to that made on the same day in the House of Commons by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Government response to recommendations of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management. Scottish Executive and other devolved Administration officials continue to contribute strongly to the work now being done.

Renewable Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recommendations of the Foresight Energy Panel on the development of low carbon communities have been  (a) accepted,  (b) rejected and  (c) implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Foresight Energy Panel ran from 1994-99, and was succeeded by the Energy and Natural Environment Panel (1999-2002). These panels reported in 1996 and 2000 respectively. None of their recommendations refer to the development of low-carbon communities.
	The texts of the two Panels' recommendations are given below for information.
	 Energy and Natural Environment Foresight Panel, 2000( 1) —Recommendations
	The consultation document and responses to it have collectively begun to highlight key opportunities and challenges; and also to identify some of the main areas for the improved use of "know-how" through R and D. Our consultations suggest that there is a general consensus of view at the very broad-brush level.
	Successful innovation and application will be focused and driven forward by the knowledge, enthusiasm and interests of those developing research and the entrepreneurial flair of those who wish to apply it either in public policy or through industrial or private sector activity and involvement.
	Our recommendations are designed to provide a positive framework in which this can happen and to overcome some of the difficulties outlined above. In addition we welcome the commitment to continued support for fundamental science and training given in the Government's White Paper "Excellence and Opportunity".
	We have mapped out our stepping stones for the way ahead. We recognise that there needs to be a strategic framework that should encompass:
	Recognition of the role of the regulator in creating the appropriate balanced market to encourage developments and implementation.
	Ensuring that energy and natural environment policies encourage this process in the UK and in wider international protocols and contexts.
	Engagement with all stakeholders including the public at large in the understanding of the steps that need to be taken and their role within this process.
	A process to sponsor the necessary developments to meet the needs to overcome the barriers that have been a problem in the past.
	We see the way to begin to realise these aims is to establish a set of "sustainability R and D" programmes with the task of "championing" key areas to ensure a sustainable future, each working throughout the disciplines and sectors and funding high profile programmes that are interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral. These will then form themes around which other work and existing initiatives can be co-ordinated and brigaded so that a critical mass of UK work can be seen, identified with and form a context for dialogue and partnership.
	This will create a continuing framework through which firms, universities and research institutes, government, investors, regulators and others can effectively collaborate in key market/development areas. Within this framework interests and "know how" (from all relevant disciplines and sectors) can be brought together on a limited number of major themes, around which others can cluster. It will also provide the framework within which the relevant, existing but rather separate programmes can communicate and more effectively develop a community of interest, common themes and corps of experience.
	We see this being achieved by:
	Establishment of a "UK Sustainable Technologies Development Programme" with participation from the Research Councils, the private sector and government.
	An appropriate source of funding would be the climate change levy, building on the proposals of the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment.
	Government departments, agencies and the Research Councils taking the initiative within this framework by setting up a limited number of major sub-programmes which would:
	Have major funding derived from the climate change levy or elsewhere. Fund R and D through research initiatives and joint programmes with private sector participation.
	Where relevant, develop and fund joint programmes with universities and firms in other countries where major opportunities for application exist. Engage the regulatory framework in this process to ensure it is aligned with the programmes. (Both UK and, where possible international arrangements).
	Co-ordinate existing initiatives to support these major programmes. Provide co-ordination and exchange of results across the funding bodies and programmes through dedicated web sites, newsletters and other networking.
	We highlight a number of areas where we consider R and D to be priorities in Annexe A, but we particularly recommend sub-programmes with the following themes:
	Strategies and technologies for the water stressed world.
	Low and close-to-zero emission power generation.
	Achieving step changes in resource efficiency in products, their production and use.
	(1)http://www.foresight.gov.uk/Previous_Rounds/Foresight_1999_2002/Energy_and_Natural_Environment/Reports/Stepping%20Stones%20to%20Sustainability/SteppingStones.
	 Energy Foresight Panel, 1996( 2) —Recommendations
	The nine high priority opportunities for energy products and services are:
	High hit-rate exploration techniques for oil and gas, to increase accuracy of field identification through improved acquisition, integration, analysis and interpretation of geophysical data.
	Increased oil and gas yields from hydrocarbon reservoirs, by more accurate characterisation and improved simulation, better drive and production technologies.
	Decommissioning of redundant nuclear facilities, involving the safe and economic disposal of redundant facilities, minimising non-recyclable waste.
	Photovoltaic power generation at competitive cost, via development of thin film materials suitable for low cost production and installation.
	"Clean Coal" power generation, involving demonstration of new technologies in three main areas—stack-gas cleaning, coal combustion and gasification.
	Combined cycle units for gas power generation, requiring improvements in components to increase the combined-cycle efficiency to 60 per cent. with natural gas.
	Low emission power units for transport, encompassing a range of technologies based on engine design but including fuel handling and fuel quality sensors.
	Greater efficiency, energy-intensive industrial processes.
	Greater energy-efficient buildings from both build and retrofit, including better adaptation to human behaviour as well as a range of new technologies.
	These are underpinned by eight key technologies and eight key sciences:
	 Key technologies:
	Reservoir Engineering
	Photovoltaic Materials and Manufacture
	Gasification
	Low Emission Combustion Systems
	Gas Turbo-Machinery
	Batteries
	Process Design
	Building Services and Design
	 Key Sciences:
	Geosciences
	Single- and Multi-Phase Flow
	Heat and Mass Transfer
	Combustion Science
	Catalysis and Kinetics
	Mathematical Modelling
	Materials
	Electrochemistry and Surface Science
	(2 )http://www.foresight.gov.uk/Previous_Rounds/Foresight_1994_1999/Energy/chap5.html

Venture Capital

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to monitor the activities of private equity companies and to assess their impact on the economy.

Edward Balls: I have been asked to reply.
	Private equity companies in the UK are subject to regulation by the Financial Services Authority. This includes a close and continuous supervisory relationship with 14 of the biggest private equity and venture capital managers; risk mitigation programmes; frequent dialogue with market participants on private equity sector issues; and including private equity firms in thematic reviews on market issues.
	In addition the Government welcomes the announcement last week that Sir David Walker will chair an independent working party to develop a voluntary comply-or-explain code to improve the private equity industry's transparency and level of disclosures for large companies in these areas. This initiative has received wide support across the industry, demonstrating a commitment to make this happen, and also a desire to meet the legitimate concerns of interested parties.
	By increasing the quality and timeliness of disclosures, the code has the potential both to improve the engagement of the private equity industry with stakeholders, and improve its performance. The Government will watch developments very closely.

Wind Power: Berwickshire

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been provided in subsidies under the  (a) renewables obligation and  (b) Clearskies scheme to support the establishment of (i) onshore and (ii) offshore wind farms in each of the last two years; and how much has been provided for wind farm developments within Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency.

Malcolm Wicks: The renewables obligation is a market based mechanism. It provided the following levels of support to onshore and offshore wind generation in 2004-05 and 2005-06:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   England and Wales  Scotland  Total 
			  Onshore
			 2004-05 35.7 48.4 84.1 
			 2005-06 42.6 57.0 99.6 
			  Offshore
			 2004-05 12.5 — 12.5 
			 2005-06 20.7 — 20.7 
		
	
	Figures are taken from Office for Gas and Electricity Markets' Annual reports on the renewables obligation and are reported on a regional basis. Figures are not held for the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency.
	There have been no subsidies to support the establishment of wind farms under the Clear Skies scheme.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Regional Planning and Development

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how expenditure through the National Development plan of the Republic of Ireland on public sector projects in Northern Ireland will be accounted for in the business plans and published accounts of Northern Ireland Departments and agencies; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Expenditure by Northern Ireland Departments and agencies financed by any funding received from the Republic of Ireland will be accounted for in the relevant published accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Government's financial reporting manual (FReM). Consideration will also be given to any potential impact on relevant departmental business plans and/or public service agreements.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Television Licences: Students

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many university students in Lancashire living in halls of residence were fined for not paying their television licence in each of the past five years;
	(2)  how much was collected in fines from university students in Lancashire living in halls of residence who did not pay their television licence in each of the past five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Information submitted by the police and the courts to the Home Office court proceedings database does not include information about where offences took place to this level of detail, nor whether those proceeded against were students.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Welfare: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Lancashire were imprisoned for animal abuse in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of persons reported to the Home Office court proceedings database as having been sentenced to immediate custody in Lancashire for offences of cruelty to animals in the last five years were one in 2001, two in 2004 and 10 in 2005. Statistics for 2006 will be available in the autumn.
	Although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile these figures, the data are of necessity subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. Consequently, although figures are shown to the last digit in order to provide a comprehensive record of the information collected, they are not necessarily accurate to the last digit shown.

Children: Abuse

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to  (a) support victims of childhood sexual abuse in reporting abuse,  (b) provide advice and assistance during criminal proceedings and  (c) offer counselling following a trial.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government are currently finalising a sexual violence and abuse action plan which will outline cross-Government work on tackling sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse. This will be published shortly.
	The Government have funded 38 independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs) to offer advice and support to victims across England and Wales. We give Victim Support an annual grant of £30 million (and £2 million specifically for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses), to support victims and witnesses of crime. And since 2004 we have also spent £36 million setting up witness care units across England and Wales, providing tailored support for witnesses, including children and their parents or carers, once a charge is made.
	To assist vulnerable or intimidated witnesses in giving evidence in court, the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 provides a range of special measures. These include video-recorded evidence-in-chief, live links, screens around the witness box and giving evidence in private.
	Joint Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service and Department of Health guidance, issued in 2001, states that the best interests of the child are paramount in deciding whether therapy should be provided pre-trial, and the decision to offer it must be taken by all agencies responsible for the welfare of the child.

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes there were in each year since 2001 in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Data on the intensive supervision and surveillance programme (ISSP) are produced by the Youth Justice Board based on returns from ISSP teams. Data on breaches are only available for the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06 and are set out in the table. The data is not available by local authority but have been broken down by ISSP scheme.
	These are not Home Office statistics and although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile the figures, the data are of necessity subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.
	
		
			  ISSP breaches by ISSP Team 2004-05 to 2005-06 
			Total 
			 Berkshire South East 28 
			 Birmingham and Solihull West Midlands 80 
			 Black Country West Midlands 91 
			 Blackburn North West 18 
			 Blackpool North West 27 
			 Bradford Yorkshire 81 
			 Bristol South west 17 
			 Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes South East 32 
			 Cambridgeshire Eastern 24 
			 Cheshire North West 53 
			 Co. Durham North East 39 
			 Coventry West Midlands 22 
			 Cornwall South West 6 
			 Cumbria North West 60 
			 Derby/Derbyshire East Midlands 75 
			 Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole South West 21 
			 Devon, Plymouth, Torbay South West 12 
			 Dyfed - Powys Wales 5 
			 East London London 79 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Yorkshire 10 
			 Essex South Essex 42 
			 Gateshead, Sunderland, S Tyne North East 88 
			 Greater Manchester Central North West 107 
			 Greater Manchester East North West 153 
			 Greater Manchester West North West 244 
			 Gloucestershire South West 24 
			 Gwent Wales 30 
			 Hertfordshire South East 23 
			 Kent South East 34 
			 Kingston upon Hull Yorkshire 31 
			 Kirklees and Calderdale Yorkshire 73 
			 Knowsley St. Helens and Sefton North West 28 
			 Lambeth and Wandsworth London 12 
			 Lancashire North West 52 
			 Leeds Yorkshire 59 
			 Leicester and Leicestershire East Midlands 137 
			 Lincolnshire East Midlands 33 
			 Liverpool North West 79 
			 Luton and Bedfordshire Eastern 45 
			 Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland North West 117 
			 Newham London 65 
			 Norfolk Eastern 27 
			 Northamptonshire East Midlands 5 
			 North London London 18 
			 North Wales (Rhaglen lawn) Wales 31 
			 Nottingham East Midlands 103 
			 Nottingham County East Midlands 55 
			 Oxfordshire South East 7 
			 Peterborough Eastern 27 
			 Somerset South West 32 
			 South East London London 0 
			 South Gloucestershire South West 9 
			 South London London 91 
			 South Number Yorkshire 55 
			 Southend and Thurrock Eastern 8 
			 South Wales Wales 144 
			 South Yorkshire Yorkshire 204 
			 Staffordshire West Midlands 38 
			 Stoke West Midlands 22 
			 Suffolk East Midlands 55 
			 Surrey South East 40 
			 Sussex East South East 25 
			 Tees Valley North West 147 
			 Thames London 38 
			 Wakefield Yorkshire 28 
			 Warwickshire West Midlands 25 
			 Wessex South East 67 
			 West London London 45 
			 West Mercia West Midlands 47 
			 West Middlesex and Brent London 111 
			 West Sussex South East 17 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon Southwest 24 
			 Wirral North West 16 
			 Wrexham Wales 31 
			 York and North Yorkshire Yorkshire 83 
			  Total 3,931

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes were attached to court sentences in each year since 2001, broken down by local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Data on the intensive supervision and surveillance programme (ISSP) are produced by the Youth Justice Board based on returns from ISSP teams. The data are not available by local authority but have been broken down by ISSP scheme and starts from 2003-04 as data collected in this format prior to full national roll out of the programme are unreliable.
	These are not Home Office statistics and although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile the figures, the data are of necessity subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.
	
		
			  ISSP starts by Teams  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006( 1)  Total 
			 Berkshire 54 54 64 33 205 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 196 178 160 121 655 
			 Black Country 113 105 141 96 455 
			 Blackburn — 25 26 23 164 
			 Blackpool — 42 17 23 132 
			 Bradford 90 83 112 27 241 
			 Bristol 50 40 43 46 152 
			 Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes 19 26 48 29 131 
			 Cambridgeshire 23 27 26 20 129 
			 Cheshire 28 86 92 20 256 
			 Co. Durham 56 51 45 35 136 
			 Coventry 58 41 47 15 118 
			 Cornwall 5 14 18 6 75 
			 Cumbria 15 20 34 32 95 
			 Derby/Derbyshire 37 41 84 33 162 
			 Devon, Plymouth Torbay 9 30 31 36 101 
			 Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole 4 21 12 8 148 
			 Dyfed-Powys 4 4 15 11 36 
			 East London 107 88 118 126 353 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 6 10 9 7 151 
			 Essex 21 43 43 41 323 
			 Gateshead, Sunderland, S Tyne 125 158 96 50 481 
			 Greater Manchester Central 196 150 142 113 584 
			 Greater Manchester, East 177 137 171 119 432 
			 Greater Manchester, West 179 195 245 164 672 
			 Gloucestershire 5 16 16 63 109 
			 Gwent 68 94 97 31 301 
			 Hertfordshire 14 31 42 44 128 
			 Kent 79 83 79 37 244 
			 Kingston upon Hull 11 24 29 45 170 
			 Kirklees and Calderdale 45 59 58 69 266 
			 Knowsley St. Helens and Sefton 72 56 60 75 337 
			 Lambeth and Wandsworth 80 81 78 81 371 
			 Lancashire 146 95 130 103 404 
			 Leeds 131 100 155 97 365 
			 Leicester and Leicestershire 76 96 93 45 351 
			 Lincolnshire 13 37 35 45 181 
			 Liverpool 117 108 115 55 374 
			 Luton and Bedfordshire 64 55 71 25 241 
			 Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland 96 132 120 90 351 
			 Newham 90 75 82 47 217 
			 Norfolk 9 24 26 72 172 
			 Northamptonshire 13 27 8 21 107 
			 North London 50 63 55 65 257 
			 North Wales 51 45 47 19 165 
			 Nottingham 74 63 85 33 227 
			 Nottingham County 54 79 66 21 214 
			 Oxfordshire 46 40 54 37 166 
			 Peterborough 48 49 49 23 202 
			 Somerset 35 26 46 47 125 
			 South East London 81 81 132 48 366 
			 South Gloucestershire 6 7 9 56 93 
			 South London 105 130 109 46 297 
			 South Humber 21 61 70 78 358 
			 Southend and Thurrock 12 44 27 87 330 
			 South Wales 149 125 148 123 512 
			 South Yorkshire 172 180 242 51 529 
			 Staffordshire 116 96 91 80 313 
			 Stoke 56 54 50 45 169 
			 Suffolk 46 43 52 11 112 
			 Surrey 20 31 36 10 255 
			 Sussex, East 6 28 34 32 183 
			 Tees Valley 178 149 192 84 478 
			 Thames 89 92 100 65 267 
			 Wakefield 53 49 49 22 234 
			 Warwickshire 10 17 21 16 98 
			 Wessex 114 135 211 145 552 
			 West London 44 47 53 39 270 
			 West Mercia 61 58 59 46 170 
			 West Middlesex and Brent 131 112 122 86 320 
			 West Sussex 7 15 21 23 115 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 0 19 31   
			 Wirral 56 63 41 37 210 
			 Wrexham 44 38 66 27 131 
			 York and North Yorkshire 69 59 67 40 235 
			 Total 4,705 4,960 5,568 3,830 19,063 
			 (1) April-December

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes (ISSP) there were in each year since 2001; and how many resulted in  (a) return to custody,  (b) return to ISSP and  (c) other outcomes; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Data on the intensive supervision and surveillance programme (ISSP) are produced by the Youth Justice Board based on returns from ISSP teams. The Youth Justice Board only have breach data available from the financial year 2004-05. The information requested from this date is set out in the table.
	These are not Home Office statistics and although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile the figures, the data are of necessity, subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.
	
		
			  Breaches of ISSP, 2004-05 to date 
			   Custody  Return to ISSP  Other  Total 
			 2004-205 431 576 206 1,213 
			 2005-06 825 1,540 373 2,738 
			 April to December 2006 628 359 127 1,114 
			  1,884 2,475 706 5,065

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many intensive supervision and surveillance programmes (ISSP) were attached to court sentences for  (a) community rehabilitation orders,  (b) bail,  (c) supervision orders,  (d) community rehabilitation orders and supervision orders following bail ISSP and  (e) detention and training orders in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 March 2007
	Data on the intensive supervision and surveillance programme (ISSP) is produced by the Youth Justice Board based on returns from ISSP teams. The information requested is set out in the following table. These are not Home Office data and although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile the figures, the data are of necessity subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.
	
		
			  Financial year  Bail  SO  CRO  SO/CRO  DTO  Sec 90/91  Total 
			 2001-02 131 579 34 — 132 — 876 
			 2002-03 773 1,685 177 — 518 — 3,153 
			 2003-04 1,451 2,081 290 — 883 — 4,705 
			 2005-06 1,419 298 2,112 135 966 30 4,960 
			 2006-07 1,573 285 2,242 214 1,198 56 5,568 
			 2006-07 1,110 214 1,619 120 704 63 3,830 
			  6,457 5,142 6,474 469 4,401 149 23,092 
			  Note: SO/CRO and Sec 90/91 routes were added from 04-05 financial year

Lincoln Prison

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 February 2007,  Official Report, column 117W, on Lincoln prison, whether any written records are held by the Prison Service of instructions given  (a) verbally and  (b) in writing to the Director General of the Prison Service by Ministers in his Department in October 2002 on control of a riot at Lincoln prison; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There are no written records within the Home Office or the Prison Service of discussions between the then Home Secretary and the then Director General of the Prison Service about the disturbance at Lincoln prison on 23 October 2002.

Police: Armed Forces

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations apply to policing operations in non-military areas carried out by the Ministry of Defence Police and the Royal Military Police  (a) in partnership with the civilian police and  (b) with no involvement by the civilian police.

Derek Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministry of Defence Police is a statutory civilian police force legislated for under the MDP Act 1987. Further policing powers are derived from the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2000. The service police are empowered under the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957 respectively.
	In non-military areas both MDP and the service police act in partnership with the civilian police. This is usually either as a request for mutual aid or in a first responder capacity.
	A protocol exists between the Ministry of Defence Police and Home Department police forces which outlines jurisdiction, mutual co-operation and joint working practices between respective organisations. That protocol is being extended to include the service police.

Prisoners

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what projection he has made of the prison population on 31 July 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 22 February 2007
	The projection has already been published (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/06 27 July 2006—Prison Population Projections 2006-2013, England and Wales). The publication is too large to be included in the answer but a copy is already available in the Library of the House. It can also be located at the following web address:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb1106.pdf

Prisoners: Children

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of the  (a) male and  (b) female prison population had dependent children in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on the family responsibilities of prisoners is not collated centrally.
	Some information is available from a survey of 1,945 prisoners undertaken in 2003.
	45 per cent. of all prisoners had dependent children (including step-children) aged 17 under: 50 per cent. of women prisoners; 20 per cent. of young offenders (males between 18 and 20); and 48 per cent. of adult males.

Prisoners: Mental Hospitals

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are awaiting transfer to secure mental hospital accommodation.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 February 2007
	A survey taken by the Department of Health for the quarter ending December 2006, showed that 38 prisoners recommended for transfer under the Mental Health Act 1983 were waiting over 12 weeks for a transfer to hospital.
	This situation is improving, 62 such prisoners were waiting at June 2005 and 44 at June 2006.

Reoffenders

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated into the effect of increased expenditure on criminal justice on rates of recidivism; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There has been no Home Office research commissioned specifically to look directly at the effect of a higher expenditure on the CJS and reductions in recidivism. However, there is currently an extensive programme of research planned for the forthcoming year that will evaluate the impact of specific CJS/NOMS interventions on re-offending and what value for money they offer. The output from this research will help shape priorities across the CJS in terms of where resources are likely to be most effectively targeted for protecting the public and reducing re-offending.

Reparation by Offenders

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners paid compensation to victims while incarcerated in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 7 March 2007,  Official Report, column 2058W.

Secure Accommodation: Young Offenders

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the future required population capacity of  (a) secure children's homes,  (b) secure training centres and  (c) young offender institutions; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Youth Justice Board currently purchases 3,547 places across the secure estate for children and young people. 235 of these are in secure children's homes, 301 in secure training centres and 3,011 in young offender institutions.
	The last two years have seen high population levels during parts of the year, particularly in the autumn. The Government and the Youth Justice Board are seeking to reduce demand for places by ensuring consistent application of the principle that custody for young people should be the last resort. However, the Youth Justice Board's short to medium-term plans assume that there may be some further population pressure in 2007-08.
	In view of this likely demand, the Board is putting measures in place to increase the number of contingency places it can access. These will include places in young offender institutions and may also include extra places in secure children's homes.

Sexual Offences

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what guidance the Probation Service gives to hostels for sex offenders on forging links with the local community; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how far each approved premises for sex offenders is from the nearest school.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There are no specialist hostels used exclusively for sex offenders. Approved premises (formerly known as probation and bail hostels) are used to accommodate and manage a wide range of offenders, some of whom will have committed sexual offences.
	In June 2006, the Public Protection Unit issued guidance to probation areas on community liaison and engagement. The strategic and operational guidance was for senior and middle managers responsible for approved premises, to help them with community engagement and working with partner agencies. The need for further guidance is being considered in the child sex offender review, which is due to report later in the spring.
	Child sex offenders are excluded from approved premises which are adjacent to schools and nurseries. Other approved premises are situated at varying distances from their nearest school.

Sexual Offences

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offenders on licence were recalled to prison  (a) after committing a further crime and  (b) without committing a further crime in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Young Offenders

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many custodial sentences in accordance with  (a) section 226,  (b) section 90/91 and  (c) section 228 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 were issued to young offenders aged 18 or under in each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Sections 226 and 228 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 came into force on 4 April 2005. A combined figure for persons aged under 18 sentenced under these provisions during 2005 was published in 'Sentencing Statistics 2005, England and Wales' (Home Office Statistical Bulletin No 03/07) (Table 2.8 on page 42), a copy of which is in the Library.
	The table referred to also shows the number of persons aged under 18 sentenced under sections 90/91 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.
	This publication is on the Home Office website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0307.pdf
	Although care is taken in collating and analysing the returns used to compile the figures in this publication, the data are of necessity subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. Consequently, although figures are shown to the last digit in order to provide a comprehensive record of the information collected, they are not necessarily accurate to the last digit shown.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Coroners

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what measures the Government has put in place to ensure adequate infrastructure and staffing for each coroner's service over the past three years; what such measures have been put in place for the coming three years; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The costs of the coroners service are met by the relevant local authority and, in respect of the majority of coroner's officers, the local police force. It will therefore be for these funding authorities to ensure that their coroner service is adequately resourced for the next three years. However, once the proposed reforms are implemented, the new Chief Coroner will introduce national standards which will address, among other matters, the need for greater consistency in resource provision to coroner areas.

Coroners

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will include in the forthcoming legislation on coroners' courts and inquests provision for medical support or other additional resources necessary to facilitate coronial investigations; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Proposals in the coroner reform programme seek to address the gap in medical knowledge and skills that exists in the current coronial system. We intend to create the post of National Medical Adviser to the Chief Coroner, who will advise on medical policy and practice, including in relation to appeals against coroners' decisions made to the Chief Coroner, and liaise with the medical professions at national level. At a local level, we will provide the means for coroners, in consultation with their local authorities, to access high quality independent medical advice. Our intention remains to bring the Coroners Bill before Parliament as soon as possible.

Coroners

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will legislate to provide for the integration of the coroner and death registration services recommended in the Luce report; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: We published a draft Coroners Bill in June 2006 which sets out the Government's plans for reform of the coroners system. It is not part of those plans to integrate the coroner and death registration services. On 21 February, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced the Government's plans for improvements to the system for scrutinising the causes of death recorded on death certificates when publishing a summary of actions taken or planned in response to the Shipman Inquiry.

Coroners: Essex

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the results were of the pilot schemes conducted in Essex early in 2005 into the possible effects of medical examiners within the coronial system; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The pilot was set up in November 2004 to assess the practicalities and benefits of incorporating a medical examiner into the coronial system. This followed recommendations in two independent reviews, including the Shipman Inquiry. The pilot identified appreciable benefits in the approach, for example in improving the accuracy of the causes of death recorded, but noted that there were significant practical and logistical issues to be overcome for the system to be rolled out more widely. In particular, it identified the strong likelihood that there would be delays in releasing bodies for funerals. The outcome of the pilot contributed to the Government's decision.

Courts: Essex

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the  (a) extent of and  (b) reasons for the difficulties in finding secure court accommodation for contentious jury inquests in Essex listed for a week in April 2007; what steps are being taken to resolve those difficulties; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The local area director of Her Majesty's Court Service is discussing the issue fully with the coroner with a view to resolving the problem.

Elections: Fraud

Nigel Evans: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average jail term is for people imprisoned for electoral fraud in the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The information requested has not been previously collated centrally. The Electoral Commission is currently reviewing files held by the Crown Prosecution Service on allegations and cases of electoral offences, and will make it's findings available in due course.

Electoral Register

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what responsibility local authorities have to ensure that residents register to vote;
	(2)  what action local authorities are expected to take to address electoral registration in areas which have historically low levels of registration.

Bridget Prentice: Section 9 and 10 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and Section 9 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006, sets out the necessary steps that a local authority's Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) must take to compile an accurate and comprehensive electoral register.
	These steps include sending the canvass form more than once to any address, making house to house inquiries, making contact by such other means as appropriate and inspection of other records which may be of particular help in areas of low registration.
	Local authorities are responsible for ensuring they follow these steps, so those residents who are eligible to vote are registered to do so.

Petitions: Electronic Government

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential use of e-petitioning across Whitehall departments.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 8 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1097W. The Government are testing the use of a wide range of digital communication tools and methods. The Department for Constitutional Affairs is undertaking a project assessing the use of other digital technologies in enhancing the communications between government and the public

Voting Methods: Pilot Schemes

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether any pilot schemes for innovative forms of voting will be undertaken at the local elections to be held on 3rd May 2007.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement on 29 January 2007,  Official Report, column 3WS.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency: Interviews

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many face-to-face customer interviews were conducted by staff at the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 March 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many face-to-face customer interviews have been conducted by staff at the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years. [ 12040 ]
	The information requested is included in the table below. Robust management information is not available for 2001-02. During 2005-06 the Face-to-Face Service was replaced by the Client Interviewing Service.
	The number of face-to-face meetings has fallen in recent years both due to a falling client demand for this service and to improve efficiency within the Agency. Demand for the face-to-face service has declined due to a greater reliance by Agency clients on telephony and internet services. Recent improvements to the Agency's telephony, 97% of calls are now answered from the queue, and calls are answered within 27 seconds, and improved internet access, including the ability to apply for Maintenance Direct online, has likely reduced this demand further. Agency people have been redeployed from Face-to-Face roles to focus on essential work such as reducing the number of uncleared cases, improving client service, and increasing compliance among non-resident parents.
	The Face-to-Face Service provided by the Agency underwent substantial reforms in its transition to the Client Interview Service in September 2005. The duties of the Face-to-Face Service were reallocated within the Agency in order to promote specialisation and professionalism in the service offered. The client Interview Service now focuses solely on facilitative client service interviews; these include supporting clients with communication difficulties or disabilities, assisting complaint resolution ad resolving conflicts in information supplied by Agency clients. There were around 3,800 such interviews between September 2005 and March 2006. Other elements of the previous Face-to-Face Service, including compliance inspection and court presentations, are now being carried out by experts within the Enforcement directorate.
	
		
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 ( 1) 2005-06 
			 Face-to-Face Service 67,240 32,404 26,136 12,593 
			 Client Interview — — — 3,836 
			 Total 67,240 32,404 26,136 16,429 
			 (1 )The Face-to-Face Service ended on the 19 September 2006, and was replaced by the Client Interview Service 
		
	
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Child Support Agency: Reform

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many meetings Ministers have held with Child Support Agency (CSA) staff to discuss CSA redesign; and if he will place in the Library the minutes from such meetings.

James Plaskitt: Ministers, including the Parliamentary under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, visit Child Support Agency sites on a regular basis to meet people and discuss issues of concern to them. To preserve the confidentiality of discussion, full minutes of such meetings are not taken. Specific action points are fed back, but these are not published as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Departmental Responsibilities

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 20 February 2007,  Official Report, columns 43-44WS, on the spring supplementary estimates, what functions are being transferred from the Government Actuary's Department to the Department for Work and Pensions.

James Purnell: The functions transferred from the Government Actuary's Department to the Department for Work and Pensions cover the production of long-term projections of national insurance benefits and contributions, implementing one of the recommendations of the Morris review of the actuarial profession (HM Treasury, 2005). This took effect from 1 April 2006.
	The Government Actuary remains responsible for statutory reports to Ministers and Parliament on the national insurance fund, and retains responsibility for advising on rebate levels in the national insurance fund.

Departments: Eurostar

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many trips by Eurostar were undertaken by staff in his Department in the last 12 months; and at what total cost.

Anne McGuire: Staff in the Department for Work and Pensions have taken 896 trips by Eurostar in the last 12 months at a total cost of £103,470.

New Deal for Young People

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which of the four options in the new deal for young people (NDYP) has been the most effective in helping secure jobs for NDYP participants.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 28 February 2007
	The new deal for young people employment option has been the most effective of the four NDYP options in helping people into employment.

Occupational Pensions

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the cost of implementing the Ombudsman's March 2006 recommendations on the compensation of employees suffering pension shortfalls has been calculated.

James Purnell: I refer the hon. Member to the annexe to the Government's response to the report by the parliamentary Ombudsman "Trusting in the Pensions Promise", published in June 2006.

Pensions: Reform

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assumptions underlay the estimate of the number of women likely to participate in personal accounts in the report The Gender Impact of Pensions Reform.

James Purnell: The Gender Impact of Pension Reform assumed that women will be automatically enrolled into personal accounts if they are not enrolled into an exempt work-based pension scheme and if they meet the criteria of being aged between 22 and state pension age and earning above approximately £5,000 per year. The numbers were calculated using data on female employment, earnings and pension membership from the Labour Force Survey, the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, the Employers' Pension Provision Survey and the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Statistics.
	Of the women automatically enrolled into personal accounts, it was assumed that between 20 and 50 per cent. would opt out, with a central opt-out rate of around a third (the same percentages as for men who are automatically enrolled). As set out in some detail in the regulatory impact assessment published alongside the White Paper 'Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system' (May 2006) the assumption on opt-out rates draws on evidence from a number of sources and reflects the inherent uncertainty regarding individuals' responses to personal accounts.

State Retirement Pensions: Overseas Residence

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received in the last three years from the Governments of  (a) Canada and  (b) Australia on the uprating of the frozen pensions of British nationals living in those countries.

James Purnell: In the last three years my predecessors had three meetings with Australian Ministers and officials at which the issue of not uprating UK state pensions to persons living in Australia was raised. I have had no representations from the Canadian Government and am not aware of any to my predecessors during that time.